Media Release – Wednesday 19 October 2011
The Independent Education Union has applauded the Australian Government’s commitment to extend the successful Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY), but is calling for the program to be extended to develop family-early childhood learning-school relationships.
The Federal Secretary of the IEU, Chris Watt said investments in early childhood education are important in giving children a base for a strong learning and education future.
“We are looking to see the HIPPY program be extended to encapsulate and develop family-early childhood education-school relationship,” said Mr Watt.
“It is well known that these types of programs provide sound learning opportunities for young children and these 23 centres that will receive continued funding will be a boost to the 50 communities.
“As the government acknowledges this program works so we would implore them to build on the success of this program and link it in to local schools.
“Recent research highlights the stresses that young families are under and there has always been a need to provide parents with the skills to further develop their children’s learning.
“The evidence is also clear that the better the relationship between family and school the greater the benefit to the child’s education experience.
“This excellent initiative should be broadened to support all early childhood learning programs and the early years of schooling,” said Mr Watt.