KindiLink

KindiLink is a play-and-learn initiative for Aboriginal three year old children who attend with a parent/carer.

KindiLink is running as a pilot at 38 selected schools (2016 to 2018) and will be independently evaluated to inform future directions.

How is KindiLink different to Kindergarten?

KindiLink is for three year olds attending with a parent/carer and only at the selected KindiLink schools. KindiLink is in addition to Kindergarten at the selected KindiLink schools. Kindergarten is for all four year olds, who attend without a parent/carer and is available in all primary schools across the State. 

What does KindiLink provide?

KindiLink provides six hours a week of high quality play-and-learn sessions for children and their parent/carer at participating schools, at no cost to families. Parents are supported to be actively involved in the play-and-learn activities with their children.

What is KindiLink seeking to achieve?

KindiLink aims to boost children’s learning in the year before they start Kindergarten and to forge strong and supportive links between home and school. The teachers and assistants who plan and deliver the sessions work alongside families to help them prepare their own children for success at school. KindiLink focuses on developing the social, emotional, language and cognitive capabilities of Aboriginal children.

Who can participate in KindiLink?

KindiLink is for Aboriginal children in the year prior to them being eligible to attend Kindergarten.  Where capacity exists, younger siblings may also attend.  Children and families from outside a KindiLink school’s catchment area are welcome to participate in KindiLink.  Where capacity also exists, and with support from attending families and the local community, non-Aboriginal children and parent/carers may be invited to participate.

Why focus on Aboriginal children?

The 2015 Australian Early Development Census found that many Aboriginal children in Western Australia were doing well but it also found that 47.5% of Aboriginal children were vulnerable on one or more developmental domains compared with 19.5% of non-Aboriginal children and higher than the national average of 42%. NAPLAN 2015 data indicated that only 66% of Year 3 Aboriginal students in Western Australian public schools met the national minimum standard for reading compared with over 95% of non-Aboriginal students.

Who runs KindiLink sessions?

The sessions are planned and delivered by early childhood teachers and Aboriginal and Islander education officers using evidence-based programs and practices, including the Early Years Learning Framework.

What schools are involved in the KindiLink pilot?

KindiLink is being piloted at the following schools:

How can I register?

You can sign up your family for KindiLink at your local KindiLink school throughout the year.