Pilbara-pioneered early learning program helps make transition to primary school “a breeze”

Starting school and kindy for the first time can be an emotional experience for both children and their parents. A program pioneered in the Pilbara has been helping to make these big transitions easier for families since 2005. The BHP Pilbara Education Partnership Early Learning Program employs six fully-qualified teachers across the region to help prepare young children and families to be ready for school. Families with children aged up to 4 years old can attend free weekly sessions run by the teachers and held at each school site in Hedland. The Early Learning Programs are different to traditional playgroups in that they use the Abecedarian Approach Australia, which is an evidence-based teaching and learning strategy for early childhood educators and parents to use with children from birth to five. The first weeks of February saw many children, including Marshall Farel, start school. Marshall’s mum Chloe Farel said thanks to the program at Baler Primary School run by teacher Kelsie Dunnage, her son’s transition to “big school” was “a breeze”. “Having attended the sessions last year meant that Marshall was ready and excited to see his friends and Miss Dunnage again,” she said. The Pilbara Education Partnership is a collaboration between BHP and the Department of Education. Families can register to participate in the early learning program on the BHP Pilbara Education Partnership website.