Early Years

The Boorai Supported Playgroup is specifically designed to assist the further development of self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

Boorai Supported Playgroup operates five days a week and is culturally appropriate, family friendly and provides support and encouragement to parents as the first educators of their children.

Boorai is available for children from birth to pre-school.

Referrals are taken from Family Services, Child Protection, and Maternal Health Nurse, or can be via self-referral.

Boorai playgroup is facilitated by a qualified Bachelor of Early Years staff member.

The weekly program incorporates lots of activities to support numeracy and literacy skill development and is also supported by the following services:

• Stephanie Alexander kitchen garden program- Healthy Kids, Healthy Futures
• Story time sessions with the East Gippsland Library
• Kinder Gym for physical development

For more information call 5152 0810 and ask about the Boorai Supported Playgroup.

Dala Yooro is a kindergarten program for 3 and 4 year olds.

It operates 15 hours a week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during school term dates.

Priority of access has been developed to support the vision for Dala Yooro.

Every effort will be made to try and provide a place for all children who wish to attend Dala Yooro, however priority will be given based on the following considerations:

• an Aboriginal Child
• with referral from Family Services, or Child Protection services
• depending on available vacancies
• children must be 3 years old prior to commencing

Dala Yooro is a place for children and families to learn and grow together.

We are committed to providing a safe, welcoming and nurturing environment for all children to confidently explore and learn.

Incorporated into our educational programs are these additional services:

• Play Therapy
• Koorie Families as First Educators
• GunaiKurnai culture and language education
• Dental and health checks
• Kitchen garden program
• Nutrition and healthy cooking
• Breakfast club
• Kinder Inclusion Support offices
• KESO – Koori Education support offices
• Hearing Australia

For more information call 5152 0810 and ask about Dala Yooro Kindergarten

The GEGAC Koorie Families as First Educators (KFFE) team provides a confidential service for all families who have Koorie babies and children aged 0-5 and focuses on positive parenting programs to build families’ confidence and to recognise the parents as the child/children’s first educators.

The KFFE program aims to support and educate young families by offering educational evidence-based parenting programs.

These programs assist and help educate our families in their roles as parents/carers.

Referrals to the KFFE program can come in a number of ways:

• Self Referrals – members of community are able to refer themselves to the program to get a support worker
• Other Agencies – other agencies often call GEGAC when they have clients who fit our criteria and refer clients directly to the team

Our KFFE team works with clients/families to address specific issues and the options available to deal with them which include, but are not limited to:

• Focussing on child outcomes facilitated by parents
• Enrolling families into parenting programs
• Conducting home visits
• Early intervention and prevention approach to develop parents capacity to support their children’s early learning and development, and
• Help with accessing services such as counselling, police, legal assistance, medical care and other relevant services and agencies.

For more information call 5152 0810 and ask about Koorie Families as First Educators

The Aboriginal Best Start Facilitator helps Aboriginal families and carers make sure Aboriginal children 0 – 8 years old are getting the support and resources they need during these critical early years of their lives.

Efforts are focused on boosting children’s participation in the programs such as kindergarten, school, and maternal and child health services.

If you want to yarn with our Aboriginal Best Start Facilitator about any issues your Boorais are facing, it’s easy.

Just email mingara.wandin@gegac.org.au, call 5152 0810 and ask for her, or drop by the Bratowooloong Dala Yooro building at 36 Rupert Street in Bairnsdale on Tuesdays and Thursdays.