Early childhood

Respect and care for parents, carers and kids

HIPPY

The Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) is a FREE two-year, home-based early childhood education program aimed at giving preschool children an early love of learning, and parents FREE activity books and support to help achieve this goal. Studies have shown this program changes children’s developmental trajectory.


Kippax Kids

Kippax Kids provides a safe and welcoming space for community-run groups and organisations to hire and use for their own playgroups and parenting sessions. The facilities and resources are suitable for children aged 0–5 years, and allow families to play, laugh, learn and connect.


About HIPPY

A family joins HIPPY at the beginning of their child’s preschool year (4 years old) and they continue through to the end of their kindergarten year. HIPPY is for families who live in the Belconnen area.

HIPPY aims for:

  • Children to develop a love of learning early that is maintained throughout their lives
  • Families to be empowered and engaged in their child’s learning
  • Tutors and parents/carers to be engaged in training and employment
  • Families to be engaged and invested in their local community

HIPPY comprises a curriculum of 45 activity packs over two years. Parents are linked with a HIPPY Tutor (who has previously completed or is currently enrolled in HIPPY) and they meet with the parent/carer weekly or fortnightly to go through the pack, practise some activities encouraging behaviour-specific praise and positive language to encourage learning. The parent then completes an activity pack during the week with their child.

Each activity pack has 5 activities each relating to a learning area:


  • Thinking and exploring
  • Communication
  • Creativity
  • Social and emotional development
  • Family and community

There is also an opportunity to connect in ‘Parent Group Meetings’ where we have guest speakers about an enrichment topic such as nutrition, learning sounds and letters from a child’s perspective, or building resilience.

HIPPY is mainly conducted in school hours and the coordinator works from 9am to 3.30pm weekdays.

“HIPPY gave me a career. Firstly as a client learning about how to help my child in the early years of school, then gaining education and skills as a HIPPY Tutor leading to me working, and now Manager, at an Early Childhood Education Centre.”

Not only did parents enjoy the program; they transformed the home learning environment and spent more time on learning activities with their children.

At commencement, HIPPY children on average scored below the Australian mean on a test of literacy and numeracy. After completing HIPPY, children’s average score was above the relevant Australian mean.

Their improvement suggests HIPPY leads to a changed learning trajectory for children, not just a developmental gain that might be expected with age.


How to engage

There are 30 spots available for each year group and 75% of families need to meet the HIPPY priority access criteria. For more information and to register an expression of interest at any time, contact the HIPPY Belconnen Coordinator on 0450 962 007 or email warrick@kippax.org.au. Enrolment closes on 31 May the year the child is in preschool.


About Kippax Kids

Kippax Kids is a safe and welcoming space. It is available for community-run groups and organisations to hire and use for their own playgroups and parenting sessions.

The Kippax Kids space includes:

  • Indoor playroom with reading corner, kitchenette and children’s bathroom/changing facilities
  • Large enclosed outdoor playground with pergola, bike track and sandpit
  • Access to toys, books, craft supplies and resources

It is across the road from Kippax Fair and Kippax Library, and is available Monday to Friday, 9am–3pm, during school terms.

It is free for community groups and not-for-profit organisations. A small hourly fee applies for profit organisations.

More information:
Contact the Kippax Kids Administrator on 02 6254 1733 or email kippaxkids@kippax.org.au. You’ll also find us on Facebook.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and pay our respect to their elders, past, present and future.

© Design by Even Dots Creative. All rights reserved.