The BHP Pilbara Education Partnership delivers six Early Learning Programs (ELPs) located on school sites across Hedland, Newman and Onslow. The programs support families to transition to school, whilst providing increased awareness of the early years and developmental services available for their children.
The ELPs are supported by an education professional trained to specifically provide support around preparing families and children for school, including ensuring all activities have a school readiness, literacy or numeracy focus. The programs follow the 3a Abecedarian approach; this approach provides a set of evidence-based teaching and learning strategies for early childhood educators and parents to use with children from birth to five. Research shows that 3a delivers enhanced educational outcomes before and after a child starts school.
Through a survey, families who attend the ELPs report the following:
- 76% families read to their children every day
- 70% families use the 3a Learning Games at home
- 80% of families feel confident enough to change the Learning Games they play to keep them interesting
- 93% families feel comfortable to ask their ELP Coordinator for information about health services
- 93% families feel attending the ELP has supported their child’s transition to school.
Kindy teachers have reported that the parents of children who have attended an ELP are more comfortable on the school site, more engaged in their child’s learning and are more likely to ask teachers about learning programs and developmental milestones. Additionally, families that attended an ELP are more likely to be on time for school and be a regular attender, which contributes to establishing a healthy attendance pattern for lifelong learning.
Click here for more information on the Early Learning Programs
