C4C Community Projects

A Community for Children Initiative.

Program Overview

The Mirrabooka Area C4C Early Literacy Program is a universal approach that seeks to build and enhance existing community strengths and resources in order to improve the early language development and literacy of children 0-5 years of age. The approach will be one that builds upon the WA State Library’s Better Beginnings Program (see Annexe Three), as well as existing services within local libraries (Cities of Wanneroo and Stirling). The Program adds an outreach component by training community members, child care professionals, agency representatives, child care workers, and related early years service providers to develop and promote strategies that assist parents in encouraging early literacy in their own children

The Early Literacy Program contains a number of key components including:

• Capacity building of community members, professionals and agency representatives by training them to use the Let’s Read program. Let’s Read trains and resources professionals and community members to work with parents on a one-to-one basis, helping them learn how to provide anticipatory guidance to promote the importance of reading with young children and to model strategies that engage children and develop their emergent literacy skills. The training also includes the provision of a community development resource package, which supports the development of relevant processes and provides a range of practical resources to enable a community to promote Let’s Read messages in a sustainable manner. This package includes suggestions to empower communities to develop models, structures and systems that promote and facilitate literate communities.

• Recruitment and training of community volunteers to assist in the provision of story time sessions and the promotion of early literacy approaches, including family library sessions (including ‘story sacks’ and activities such as book making and shared reading, stories and rhymes)

• Development of a pre-loved book scheme whereby books from the libraries (discard stock) and books donated from the local community are redistributed to families who live in book-poor environments

• In partnership with the C4C Initiative, sourcing additional funding from within the Mirrabooka Area to further enhance the model with additional book giveaways or provision of DVDs that promote early literacy to families.

Rationale

Results for the Mirrabooka Area suburbs were particularly poor in the 2004-05 AEDI’s language and cognitive development domain, which is indicative of children’s early literacy ability. As one example, over 50% of the sample in the Westminster suburb was deemed to be vulnerable in this domain. Results from the preceding 2003 AEDI also noted that, in comparison with the wider North Metropolitan region, the Mirrabooka Area ranked considerably lower in this domain. This finding indicates that children within the Communities for Children Area are not well prepared for the transition to school and that existing services are not making significant progress in encouraging emergent literacy.

The Early Literacy Program should address the following Community for Children Priority Areas:

The Early Literacy Project should also address the Australian Early Development Index domains of:

The aims of the Early Literacy Program include:

Implementing a whole-of-area collaborative approach to the development and improvement of early childhood literacy.

Re-shaping existing early literacy provision to provide outreach services into the wider community.

Improving the capacities of both professionals and community members to promote and support early literacy.

Engaging community members through volunteering to support emergent literacy practices.

Providing a universal service in promotion of early literacy to the Mirrabooka Area community supplemented by, where necessary, specific targeting of hard-to-reach groups such as young parents, Indigenous Australians and CALD communities.

Developing practices and approaches that are sustainable beyond the C4C funding cycle.

Program Approach

A non-government Community Partner will work collaboratively with the Cities of Stirling and Wanneroo; the North Metropolitan Health Service and in cooperation with the State Library of Western Australia’s Better Beginnings program will deliver the Early Literacy Program. This Community Partner will be the lead agency for the overall development of the C4C funded element of the program and will have responsibility for ensuring that the program is firmly linked and coordinated with the Better Beginnings Program and the relevant Cities of Stirling and Wanneroo libraries.

It is anticipated that a joint MOU will be developed with between the partners in order that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined. The Program has been contracted out to a selected NGO Playgroup WA by The Smith Family on behalf of the Mirrabooka Area C4C Committee.

The Community for Children initiative or C4C was established in the suburbs of Balga, Girrawheen, Koondoola, Mirrabooka and Westminster (which we call the 'Mirrabooka Area') to work with these communities, engaging local agencies as partners in responding to the need for services for our youngest children - those aged 0 -5. The C4C initiative works in such a that supports children, their families and their communities into the future. The locally recruited C4c Committee and the C4c Project Team are bringing an Exciting range of community based early childhood programs to life in the Mirrabooka Area.
Take the time to see the wonderful projects that are in your local community... You may wish to participate in them or even become a volunteer that helps to make this community just what it should be for all our 0 - 5 year old children... Early Years Group Community Activity Fund Pathways Playgroups Literacy Links
Community Activity Fund The C4C Community Activity Fund supports the community of Balga, Girrawheen, Koondoola, Mirrabooka and Westminster to work together on projects or activities that benefit children under the age of five and their families. Emphasis of the project is on children under five and they must be the prime focus: however, activities and services can also cater for older children, eg siblings of younger children. Projects/activities must address one or more of the following Communities for Children Priority Areas, Outcomes. and/or Key Result Areas, as outlined below and detailed in Appendix One. Please download and read the Community Funding Guidelines... Community Funding Guidelines Description: A complete description of how to apply and the requirements for the Community Funding. Application Evaluation Description: An application and evaluation form for community funding small scale projects Top
Early Years Group The Early Years Strategy is a fundamental element of the State Government's Children First agenda. The Early Years Strategy is the Western Australian Government's commitment to supporting children, families, carers and communities to improve the wellbeing of our children aged 0 - 8. The opportunities and encouragement we give our children in their first eight years of life shape the person they grow up to be. Western Australian communities are finding new ways of working together to help their children get the best start in life. The Early Years Strategy outlines the shared responsibility necessary to improve the health and wellbeing of our young children. Mirrabooka Early Years Meetings Dates for 2006 Location: Mirrabooka Library Building 8 Sudbury Place Mirrabooka... Dates, Times .. Please ring Jessica Sharp Community Development Officer C4C Ph: 94404147 Mob: 0417 060 250 Email: Jessica Top
Pathways Playgroups Pathways Projects is an early intervention program for 0-5 year old children and their families promoting healthy development, positive relationships and strong communities. Pathways School-based Playgroups In partnerships with local schools, playgroups provide a learning environment and promote healthy play for children, their siblings and caregivers. Playgroup staff work with families to identify the developmental needs of children. Pathways Community Playgroups Pathways facilitate community-based playgroups, in partnership with other providers and the community, in a playful and learning environment. Linking Community Playgroups In partnership with Communities for Children in the Mirrabooka area, Pathways link with other playgroups so that local families can access quality playgroups. Family Support Services Provide ongoing assistance with assessing children's development and practical resources such as manuals that illustrate useful and age appropriate activities for children. Support is also offered for families outside of, and in addition to, playgroup activities. Family support workers provide specialist advice, counselling and referrals. Accessing Pathways Projects Families can call to find out about local playgroups in the area partnered to Pathways. Community playgroups are able to access Pathways Projects by contacting Mission Australia. Top
Literacy Links A Community for Children Initiative. Program Overview The Mirrabooka Area C4C Early Literacy Program is a universal approach that seeks to build and enhance existing community strengths and resources in order to improve the early language development and literacy of children 0-5 years of age. The approach will be one that builds upon the WA State Library’s Better Beginnings Program (see Annexe Three), as well as existing services within local libraries (Cities of Wanneroo and Stirling). The Program adds an outreach component by training community members, child care professionals, agency representatives, child care workers, and related early years service providers to develop and promote strategies that assist parents in encouraging early literacy in their own children The Early Literacy Program contains a number of key components including: • Capacity building of community members, professionals and agency representatives by training them to use the Let’s Read program. Let’s Read trains and resources professionals and community members to work with parents on a one-to-one basis, helping them learn how to provide anticipatory guidance to promote the importance of reading with young children and to model strategies that engage children and develop their emergent literacy skills. The training also includes the provision of a community development resource package, which supports the development of relevant processes and provides a range of practical resources to enable a community to promote Let’s Read messages in a sustainable manner. This package includes suggestions to empower communities to develop models, structures and systems that promote and facilitate literate communities. • Recruitment and training of community volunteers to assist in the provision of story time sessions and the promotion of early literacy approaches, including family library sessions (including ‘story sacks’ and activities such as book making and shared reading, stories and rhymes) • Development of a pre-loved book scheme whereby books from the libraries (discard stock) and books donated from the local community are redistributed to families who live in book-poor environments • In partnership with the C4C Initiative, sourcing additional funding from within the Mirrabooka Area to further enhance the model with additional book giveaways or provision of DVDs that promote early literacy to families. Rationale Results for the Mirrabooka Area suburbs were particularly poor in the 2004-05 AEDI’s language and cognitive development domain, which is indicative of children’s early literacy ability. As one example, over 50% of the sample in the Westminster suburb was deemed to be vulnerable in this domain. Results from the preceding 2003 AEDI also noted that, in comparison with the wider North Metropolitan region, the Mirrabooka Area ranked considerably lower in this domain. This finding indicates that children within the Communities for Children Area are not well prepared for the transition to school and that existing services are not making significant progress in encouraging emergent literacy. The Early Literacy Program should address the following Community for Children Priority Areas: The Early Literacy Project should also address the Australian Early Development Index domains of: The aims of the Early Literacy Program include: Implementing a whole-of-area collaborative approach to the development and improvement of early childhood literacy. Re-shaping existing early literacy provision to provide outreach services into the wider community. Improving the capacities of both professionals and community members to promote and support early literacy. Engaging community members through volunteering to support emergent literacy practices. Providing a universal service in promotion of early literacy to the Mirrabooka Area community supplemented by, where necessary, specific targeting of hard-to-reach groups such as young parents, Indigenous Australians and CALD communities. Developing practices and approaches that are sustainable beyond the C4C funding cycle. Program Approach A non-government Community Partner will work collaboratively with the Cities of Stirling and Wanneroo; the North Metropolitan Health Service and in cooperation with the State Library of Western Australia’s Better Beginnings program will deliver the Early Literacy Program. This Community Partner will be the lead agency for the overall development of the C4C funded element of the program and will have responsibility for ensuring that the program is firmly linked and coordinated with the Better Beginnings Program and the relevant Cities of Stirling and Wanneroo libraries. It is anticipated that a joint MOU will be developed with between the partners in order that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined. The Program has been contracted out to a selected NGO Playgroup WA by The Smith Family on behalf of the Mirrabooka Area C4C Committee. Top