Currently offered in these postcode areas: 2340.
Families learning together with fun and free activities
The Home Interaction Program for Parent and Youngsters (HIPPY) is a fun and free program for families that supports children’s learning in the two years before they start school.
It provides you with the tools to give your child a strong start in education.
The program
Join Hippy with your 3 year old child and each fortnight, HIPPY Tutors will bring you storybooks and activity packs and practice them with you so that you feel confident doing them with your child.
Each activity helps your child learn through play and supports their development in five different learning areas.
HIPPY only takes 10-15 minutes a day of learning and playing with your child to make change that lasts a lifetime.
The Tutors
Tutors are HIPPY parents trained in each of the HIPPY activities and will practice them with you at each home visit.
As HIPPY parents, Tutors have the personal experience and community knowledge to support you as you learn with your child.
The Gatherings
Gatherings are fun, welcoming and family-friendly.
They’re an opportunity for you to meet other HIPPY families, learn about your child’s development and to hear about local services and events in your community.
Steps to get involved
- Complete the expression of interest form to express your interest in the program. Intakes take place before May 31st.
- Parents have fun practicing the activities with their Home Tutor (15 sessions in the first year and 30 sessions in the 2nd year)
- Outside of sessions, parents spend 10 -15 minutes a day doing a HIPPY activity or story.
- You can participate in HIPPY Gatherings that can cover a wide range of topics.
- Celebrate your child’s success at the HIPPY Graduation.
Priority of access
Priority will be given to families who answer ‘yes’ to one or more of the following questions and who have not completed HIPPY previously.
- Do you hold a Health Care Card?
- Is your child Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander?
- Are you caring for an out-of-home child?
- Are you receiving a form of government support payment?
- Are you a single parent?
- Is English not your first language?
The Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. The Brotherhood of St. Laurence holds the licence to operate HIPPY in Australia.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Government or officers of the Department of Social Services.
HIPPY was developed at the NCJW Research Institute for Innovation in Education at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the HIPPY Programs are affiliates of HIPPY International.
