Department of Education

Launching into Learning Good Practice Example
LiL in George Town is a collaborative endeavour
between our two public schools. Our LiL Planning
Team is made up of key staff from the two schools with
coordination coming from a senior staff member funded
through South George Town Primary School’s Low
Socioeconomic Status (SES) National Partnership. Strong
links have been established with other service providers
in George Town, which is creating opportunities for
shared services to families. We are creating a model of
integration, working alongside government and nongovernment
organisations for the benefit of families,
which will be further strengthened when the child and
family centre is completed in George Town in 2012.
Our Birth – 4 programs are designed for families
throughout George Town. The programs are delivered
in a consistent format irrespective of the venue.
The choice of venues is determined by factors that
include accessibility for families through a supportive
environment, and appropriate space and costs. We see
our support as falling into three tiers:
• A playgroup at each school is the first tier of universal
support for families with children under school age.
There is a consistent approach so families hear and
learn the same songs at both sessions. Two teacher
assistants are employed alongside the teacher, helping
families to feel welcome and supported.
• Outreach programs into the community are the
second tier of support. A teacher and teacher
assistant talk with families and read and play with
babies and children in the Child Health and Parenting
Services (CHAPS) clinic foyer as families wait to see
the nurse. Most recently we have organised for an
Occupational Therapist from St Giles to join this
outreach program. The family partnership model
of interaction is used by LiL staff. More informal
examples of 2nd tier support include our park parties
and Tiny Tots on Show programs where multiple service
providers join in outreach.
• Very small play opportunities for specific, targeted
families represent the third tier of support. LiL has
formed a partnership with the Early Childhood
Intervention Service (ECIS) to provide pre-Kinder
experience for children with autism. Other third tier
opportunities include meeting for coffee at a local cafe,
baby massage and in-home play sessions.
Our work with families this year has also taken on an
increased focus on supporting parents in their key role.
Three LiL team members trained as facilitators for
the Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities
Course—Being a Parent. More than 20 parents are taking
part in the course. There are considerable benefits
already emerging for parents and children. LiL staff also
have key roles in supporting other parent programs
including the Pregnant and Young Parent Support (PYPS).
As a LiL team we meet frequently, including fortnightly
planning meetings. A task at the meetings is the
processing of all child health referrals to ensure prompt
contact with families. We prioritise professional learning
to support our work with young children and their
families.
Data confirms that our LiL Planning Team programs are
succeeding in engaging an increasing number of families.
In 2010 attendance at LiL programs grew by over 50%.
LiL Planning Team
South George Town Primary School
Port Dalrymple School
Early Years
School
Improvement
Measures
(as reported
in Tasmania’s
Education
Performance
Report 2010)
Key performance measure 2008 2009 2010 Tasmania
Together
Benchmark
Percentage of Kindergarten students
achieving expected outcomes 4 76.8% 76.0% 76.0% 3.1.1
Percentage of Prep students achieving
expected literacy outcomes 85.1% 85.7% 84.3% 3.2.2
4 Tasmania Together benchmark 3.1.1 target for 2010 is 76%.
20
Pre-Compulsory and Compulsory Education – Early Years