HIPPY (Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters) is a two-year, home-based early learning and parent program for families with young children.
It’s completely free and empowers parents to become their preschool aged child’s first teacher – to provide tailored learning opportunities and support literacy, numeracy, language and physical skills in the lead up to school.
Learning Links coordinates the program in the Riverwood and Cabramatta areas in Sydney.
About the HIPPY Program
Supporting you and your child over two years
HIPPY provides parents with a structured program to work through with their child, which includes a range of free resources including activity books, games and storybooks.
The program offers ongoing support through home-based (or video-based) visits every second week by a HIPPY home tutor. The home tutor helps parents to understand more about child development and learn ways to develop their child’s self esteem, confidence and love of learning. Parents also meet with a group of other parents participating in the program once every second week to share information, experiences and support.
Families attend the program for two years – through to the end of their child’s first year at school.
HIPPY is based on the belief in the power of home as a learning environment and parents as primary educators.
Fitting in with your routine
HIPPY is designed to fit into the daily routine of your family, with the recommendation that you spend around 10 to 15 minutes a day, five days a week, doing the provided educational activities together.
Your tutor will support and guide you along the way during your scheduled visits
The benefits for your family
The program helps children by:
- Encouraging a love of learning
- Maximising their chance of enjoying and doing well at school
- Promoting language and listening skills and developing concentration
- Building self-esteem and confidence in learning
- Improving relationships between parents and children.
The Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
The Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL) is licensed to operate HIPPY in Australia.
HIPPY Riverwood is for families in Riverwood, Peakhurst, Penshurst, Mortdale, Roselands, Narwee and Padstow.
To be part of the program in 2024, children need to be 3 years old in 2024 and starting school in 2026.
Parents do not need to be fluent in written or spoken English, as we welcome families from all linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
Contact
To find out more about HIPPY Riverwood, contact our Coordinator, Karen:
Email: kquine@learninglinks.org.au
Call: 0404 211 903
HIPPY Cabramatta is for families in Cabramatta or Cabramatta West.
To be part of the program in 2024, children need to be 3 years old in 2024 and starting school in 2026.
Parents do not need to be fluent in written or spoken English, as we welcome families from all linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Our HIPPY Cabramatta tutors speak a range of languages including Vietnamese, Mandarin, Cantonese and Khmer.
Contact
To find out more about HIPPY Cabramatta, contact our Coordinator, Coco:
Email: clo@learninglinks.org.au
Call:
