Aboriginal Early Years Program

Pathfinders Aboriginal Early Years Program (AEYP) is a FREE service for Aboriginal families. We provide support to families with children between the ages of 2 and 6 years to help access quality pre-school and school education. Our goal is to make the transition to school as successful as possible for the child and their family.

The role of our AEYP facilitators is to support the child and their family on their educational journey and to ensure that their education experience is a positive one. The facilitator will be available in an ongoing capacity after the child has entered pre-school or school to respond to any concerns or issues.

Our emphasis is to get the children in to a formal structured Early Childhood setting, with emphasis on children attending either Pre-school or Long Day Care. If needed our facilitators can work on a one-on-one basis with the child and their family to make the transition in to the Early Childhood system fun with minimal issues.

There are three Facilitators who are geographically responsible for the following areas

Inverell – Inverell, Ashford and Tingha

Armidale – Armidale, Walcha and Uralla

Western – Gunnedah, Quirindi, Narrabri and Wee Waa

The Aboriginal Early Years program also offers the following:

• Finds pre-school and school placements.
• Assists with filling in the enrollment paperwork.
• Supports child and family with transition from pre-school to school.
• Increases number of days per week the child attends pre-school.
• Improves school readiness for Aboriginal children emotionally, socially and academically.

Assists with referrals and linking to other services as needed. These may include services both within the Pathfinders organisation and other External Agencies.

The Aboriginal Early Years Program is free to access for Aboriginal families.

Eligibility:

Criteria for a child to be referred to Pathfinders Aboriginal Early Years Program is;
1) They are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent or identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person and are accepted as such by the community in which they live or formerly lived.
2) Aged between 2 – 6 years of age and are not currently attending 2 or more days at an Early Childhood Education Centre. The means a Preschool, Family Day Care or Long Day Care / Child Care Centre. This does not include community run playgroups.

To make a referral please fill in Pathfinders Aboriginal Early Years Referral Form 2023 and return it to Pathfinders.

For further information on this program please contact:

James Sheather – Cultural Support Manager, Corporate Services
3 Glen Innes Road, Inverell, 2360
Phone: 0467 304 802
Email: jamessh@pathfinders.ngo