Play2Learn is a supported playgroup delivered each week in school terms at the Child and Family Centre. Early childhood educator and Family Support Worker facilitate the program and focuses on child development, intervention and well-being through singing songs, reading stories, playing with age appropriate toys and participating in craft activities. They work together to identify potential needs of families and work to transition these families to appropriate services.

The supported playgroup will target areas where the AEDC indicates children are not developing well and targets vulnerable families with children aged 0 to 5 with a particular focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Families.

Community Partner: Good Beginnings part of Save the Children

Service Delivery Area: Gladstone and Boyne Island Tannum Sands

Contact: Susan Norwood or Atimah Flaherty

Phone: 07 4972 8203

The aim of the Pyjama Foundation is to improve the literacy and educational outcomes of children living in care. The Pyjama Foundation recruits, screens and trains volunteers to be Pyjama Angels and read to children in foster care for one hour, one day per week. They then place the suitably trained volunteer with a child in foster care and continue to monitor the relationship to ensure it is a good match for the child, the Angel and the carers. Program is provided to children of all ages and supports the most basic of educational needs, the ability to read, write and comprehend stories as well as basic maths skills. The target group is children aged from 0 – 12 years with the majority of children being in Kindergarten, prep and lower primary classes.

Community Partner: The Pyjama Foundation Ltd

Service Delivery Area: Gladstone and Boyne Island Tannum Sands

Phone: 0433 238 247

ABA promotes breastfeeding and attachment parenting through provision of Parenting Education classes and Family Support programs in Gladstone. ABA:

• Disseminates up to date information around parenting practices and attachment from before birth and from 0 to 2 years and beyond.
• Links parents to support services and community groups that can support parents and provide information during their baby and toddlers early months and years.

Community Partner: Australian Breastfeeding Association

Service Delivery Area: Gladstone Region

Contact: Susan Norwood Phone: 49 728203

Works with a number of programs to improve the health, wellbeing and development of children birth to 5 years. Supports existing playgroups and works with others to establish supported and community based playgroups.

Connect and Grow program to be offered in participating early childhood education centres. This program will improve the health, wellbeing and development of children birth to 5 years and builds capacity of parents through play-based learning.

Community Partner: Playgroup Queensland

Service Delivery Area: Gladstone and Boyne Island Tannum Sands

Contact: Debbie Flaherty

Phone: 07 4972 8203