Hume children get access to preschool from home

Published on 23 April 2020

Preschool children are receiving their early education from the comfort of their own homes with a new Hume City Council program Preschool at Home.

Preschool at Home supports parents through a weekly tailored curriculum for children who are not attending face-to-face sessions.

Mayor of Hume City, Councillor Carly Moore said the program will provide families with a variety of experiences for their children.

“While nothing can replace in-centre preschool, Preschool at Home will ensure children have access to a rich variety of experiences to facilitate their learning and provides a platform to still have contact with their teachers,” Cr Moore said.

“We understand families may also be home schooling other children and we have designed the curriculum to continue the play-based philosophy of early children development.

“This is a big change for our families and staff and the program has been well received.

“Interactive experiences that work on the child’s fine-motor skills, communication and cooperation, have been designed to be completed remotely at a time that works in with the family’s needs.”

Children will receive one-on-one support from their Preschool at Home team who will work with the family and child to provide individualised support, understand how things are progressing and respond to emerging needs.

A private Preschool at Home Facebook group has also been set up to facilitate that vital interaction between families and to provide access to activities and information.

In-centre preschool is still available for children to attend.

Background:

• Hume City Council's preschool are used by 2,100 local families.
• More 1,200 families are completing Preschool at Home, and many are choosing a mix of in-centre and online learning.
• In the first week, 1,013 people joined the private Preschool at Home Facebook group.

Media Contact: Isabella Olivieri Isabellao@hume.vic.gov.au or 9356 6763