Be sure to check out the latest HIPPY Australia Newsletter for
some great stories from HIPPY programs across Australia.
THE HON PETER GARRETT MP
Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth
THE HON KATE ELLIS MP
MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT PARTICIPATION AND CHILD CARE
MEDIA RELEASE
22 November 2011
Investing early is changing the lives of young Australians
Minister for Child Care Kate Ellis, today launched a new evaluation report on the Australian Government’s $32.5 million national rollout of the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY).
The report shows that HIPPY is having a transformative impact on the lives of children and parents - helping bridge the gap between children from disadvantaged backgrounds with their peers, before they even start school.
“I’m thrilled to see that the Government’s investment in the early years is paying off and helping some of our most vulnerable children to develop a solid foundation for future learning and creating a culture of valuing education at home,” Ms Ellis said.
“This report estimates that this program is likely to deliver an ultimate return on investment of up to $4 for every $1 spent because the early years of a child’s life really can shape their future.”
The report shows that when compared with the Australian norm, parents involved in HIPPY were:
• 81% more likely to report that their child’s maths ability was better than that of the child’s classmates;
• Three times more likely to be in contact with their child’s school and actively involved in their child’s learning and development;
• 66% less likely to have concerns about the way their child made speech sounds; and
• 85% less likely to have concerns about their child’s ability to understand spoken words.
“HIPPY is specifically targeted to children from disadvantaged backgrounds and yet, by the end of the program the gap between HIPPY children’s pre-numeracy and pre-literacy scores and the Australian norm had been closed,” Ms Ellis said.
“The Report also found that beyond the benefits for children, HIPPY has given many parents and carers increased confidence in their role as their child’s first teacher.”
“The benefits to the family unit as a whole from this program are remarkable, with 48% of parents were in paid employment after finishing HIPPY, compared with only 33% at the start of the program.”
HIPPY has been rolled out across 50 communities nationally and was on track to support around 3,500 families thanks to investment from the Australian Government.
The Australian Government also recently announced that 23 locations would receive additional funding to extend the successful initiative with a new group of children to start the two-year program in 2012.
Minister for Early Childhood Peter Garrett said that the Government’s record $20 billion investment over the next four years in early childhood education and care is a reflection of the importance of learning in the earliest years of life.
“HIPPY is an example of a program that has been successful elsewhere in the world and Australia has been able to benefits from what has been learned abroad,” Mr Garrett said.
“An estimated 500,000 Australian children are growing up in poverty and may not be accessing the positive learning environment at home that is vital to their development.”
“Much of the program’s effectiveness comes from the work the program does with the family unit as a whole, empowering and supporting parents to become more involved in their child’s education.”
This innovative early learning program was first introduced in Melbourne by the Brotherhood of St Laurence, who have overseen its expansion and growing success as a result of funding of the Australian Government.
HIPPY uses structured materials and activities designed to be integrated into the daily life of the family. Home tutors schedule fortnightly visits to work through the program resources with the parent in the family’s home.
Parents then work through the materials with their children for around 15 minutes, 5 to 6 days each week. The materials include age appropriate storybooks and activity packs for parents and children to use over a period of several years.
Further information is available at www.hippyaustralia.org.au
Media Contact: media@deewr.gov.au
Non-media queries: 1300 363 079
THE HON KATE ELLIS MP
MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT PARTICIPATION AND CHILD CARE
MEDIA RELEASE
19 October 2011
More Australian families to benefit from early childhood program
Minister for Employment Participation and Child Care, Kate Ellis today announced 23 locations that will receive funding under the Australian Government’s $32.5 million Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY), following a decision to extend the successful initiative by two years.
HIPPY is a two year home-based parenting and early childhood enrichment program that builds the confidence and skills of parents and carers to be their child’s first teacher.
Minister Ellis met with parents and children who have benefited from the program in Mansfield Park in Adelaide today.
“Research shows us that the first five years of a child’s life are critical and have the potential to shape their future outcomes,” Minister Ellis said.
“That is why our Government is investing in early childhood education and child care on a scale never seen before in this country, with a record investment of $20 billion over the next four years.”
“This includes an investment of $32.5 million to administer HIPPY in 50 communities nationally and support around 3,000 Australian families.”
The Australian Government targets HIPPY to locations that are in areas of disadvantage with a high proportion of families with young children. The 23 locations that will receive funding to extend this initiative over the next two years are:
- Bidwill, Bowenfels, Cabramatta, Dubbo North, La Perouse and Warrawong in NSW
- Braybrook, Dallas/Broadmeadows, Dandenong, Fitzroy, Frankston North, Long Gully/California Gully and Moreland in Victoria
- Davoren Park, Mansfield Park and Whyalla Stuart in South Australia
- Inala, Logan Central, Pioneer and West Ipswich in Queensland
- Alice Springs in the Northern Territory, Charnwood in the ACT and Girrawheen in Western Australia
“Families continue to tell me how valuable HIPPY has been for them and how the program has made a real difference to their lives.
“Parents are delighted to see their kids being more engaged with learning and have themselves been able to develop the confidence they need to take an active role in their children’s education.”
“Extending HIPPY for an additional two years will allow the program to keep making a difference for Australian families.”
The Australian Government values HIPPY and the important role it plays in achieving better outcomes for all Australians.
The program supports Australian Government initiatives from the National Early Childhood Development Strategy and the Social Inclusion Agenda, to the Closing the Gap targets for Indigenous Australians.
The successful organisations will continue to work with HIPPY Australia, delivered through the Brotherhood of St Laurence.
Further information is available at www.hippyaustralia.org.au
Minister Ellis’ media contact: Jamila Rizvi 0438 644 603
DEEWR Media: media@deewr.gov.au Non-media enquiries: 1300 363 079
The Hon Kate Ellis MP
Minister for Employment Participation
Minister for Child Care
Mr Nick Champion MP
Member for Wakefield
4 November, 2010
Joint Media Release
Early childhood learning program in more homes
Media release also with the Hon Mark Butler MP, Member for Port Adelaide.
Australian families from another 15 communities will benefit from the expansion of an innovative program that helps parents prepare children for a successful start at school.
The Minister for Employment Participation and Child Care, Kate Ellis, and the Member for Wakefield, Nick Champion, today announced the expansion of $32.5 million Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY).
Speaking at a community centre in South Australia’s Mansfield Park, one of 35 communities currently benefitting from the program, Ms Ellis and Mr Champion also announced the partner organisations that will deliver HIPPY in the new locations.
“All children deserve the best possible start to their education, and the expansion of this program will help more parents and carers provide this for their children,” Ms Ellis said.
“HIPPY empowers parents and carers to be their child’s first teacher, giving them educational resources and home tutors to help up to 3000 families prepare their children for school.
“The program will be expanded to a further five locations in New South Wales, four in Victoria, three in Queensland, two in South Australia and one in Western Australia in 2011.
“The addition of another 15 locations for this program delivers on the Government’s election commitment to take the home-based parenting and early childhood enrichment program to 50 communities across Australia.”
“Two of the new HIPPY locations announced today will be delivered in my electorate, and I am delighted that families in Wakefield will benefit from this program,” Mr Champion said.
“HIPPY will also offer some parents and carers a supported pathway to employment and local community leadership in Wakefield.”
The Member for Port Adelaide, Mark Butler, also welcomed the announcement.
“Families in the program at Mansfield Park Community Centre have already received great benefits from HIPPY, and I have no doubt that communities at the new locations will benefit from the same success,” Mr Butler said.
“The partner organisations announced already have a great record in supporting families in need, and I am delighted that they are partnering with the Government to deliver this program.”
HIPPY currently operates in 35 locations across Australia, including eight in New South Wales, eight in Victoria, five in Queensland, three in South Australia, two in Western Australia, six in Tasmania, two in the Northern Territory and one in the Australian Capital Territory.
Locations are selected in areas of disadvantage with a high proportion of families with young children.
Partner organisations will work with HIPPY Australia, a program run by the Brotherhood of St Laurence. Details of the new locations and partner organisations are attached.
Further information is available at www.hippyaustralia.org.au.
Media Contact: media@deewr.gov.au
Non-media queries: 1300 363 079