The Y WA launches School ReadY program in early learning centres to support young children with a head start
![The Y WA literacy specialist Renee Chakaodza, chief executive Dr Tim McDonald and Edith Cowan University's Dr Simmone Pogorzelski launching the new program with children at an early learning centre in Perth.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/C-15599036/4239bd50e394259d4820c1026edda556f6b671df-16x9-x0y446w4592h2583.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
A new program has been launched in two South West early learning centres that will aim to improve the readiness of children attending to start school.
The Y WA is rolling out its School ReadY program at centres in Bunbury, Manjimup and other parts of the State with a goal of giving three-to-five-year-olds the best start to their schooling years.
It comes as the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found in 2018 that 22 per cent of kids were starting school “developmentally vulnerable”, with the new program focused on play-based intentional learning.
The program was created over two years by Y WA chief executive Tim McDonald, Edith Cowan University researcher Simmone Pogorzelski and Tessa Weadman, from La Trobe University’s Science of Language and Reading Lab.
Dr McDonald said the program would initially focus on early literacy and oral language through play-based, fun learning experiences.
“Reading is the key to learning so if we can teach children the early literacy and oral language skills that prepare them to learn to read once they get to school, they will have a greater opportunity to thrive,” he said.
“We recognise how important the years before formal schooling are to assist children to develop the foundational knowledge to enable them to flourish at school. That’s why we’ve developed this program for our early learning centres to educate children on being school ready.”
The Y WA has appointed literacy specialist Renee Chakaodza to help oversee the program’s implementation, providing ongoing support and coaching to educators at the organisation’s centres.
Dr McDonald said the program was a commitment to prioritising prevention and early intervention of potential learning issues.
“School readiness is often perceived as being able to sit on a mat quietly, being able to get your lunchbox ready, use scissors or being able to listen to a story, however evidence shows that the brain is so receptive at this young age and there is so much more we can do to prepare children for success at school and beyond,” he said.
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