HIPPY stands for the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters. It is a free, voluntary home-based early learning and parenting program for families with young children.

HIPPY encourages parents to be their children’s first educator, engaging families in developing early literacy and numeracy skills.

How does HIPPY work?

HIPPY is a fun and free program for families that supports children’s learning in the two years before school.

The Home Tutor will bring you storybooks and activity packs and practice them with you so that you feel confident doing them with your child. Regular group meetings allow families to support each other and take part in fun activities.

Who can do HIPPY?

Anyone can enrol to do HIPPY with a child.

First, your child will need to be the right age: families usually start HIPPY in February of the year before their child starts kindy (age 3).

What are the benefits of HIPPY

HIPPY provides you with the tools to give your child a strong start in education.

The benefits of HIPPY for children include:

• encouraging a love of learning
• maximising chances of enjoyment and doing well at school
• promoting language and listening skills and developing concentration
• building self-esteem and confidence in learning
• improving communication between parents and children

The benefits for families include:

• Helping create a learning environment at home
• Increasing parents’ knowledge of child development and the way children learn
• Providing parents with opportunities to enjoy positive time with their children
• Enabling parents to be actively involved in their children’s education
• Supporting parents to meet regularly and promoting a sense of inclusion and connectedness with their community
• Increasing parents’ self-confidence
• HIPPY has an overall positive impact on family relationships
• Creating employment and training opportunities

Want to know more?

Contact us today for more information on our Whyalla and Port Augusta programs. Port Augusta – 0418 920 238, Whyalla - (08) 8649 0811 or 0439 601 067 - See brochure

Want to learn more, check out the HIPPY Brochure or visit the HIPPY Australia or Brotherhood of St. Laurence websites.

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The Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters is funded by the Australian Government.
The Brotherhood of St Laurence holds the licence to operate HIPPY in Australia