Home Interaction Program for Parents & Youngsters (HIPPY)

The Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) is a free two-year, play based curriculum of fun activity packs.

HIPPY supports you and your child over two years

Children’s earliest and most powerful learning comes from their family, so HIPPY helps build parents’ skills and confidence in their role as their child’s first teacher.

HIPPY supports parents to deliver a 60-week curriculum of learning activities, designed to make children ‘school-ready’ and develop a love of learning which will last a lifetime.

Activities and storybooks are fun and educational, and are aligned to the Australian Early Years Framework and National Quality Standards (NQS).

HIPPY fits around your daily routine

HIPPY is designed to fit into the daily life of the family. HIPPY families spend around 10 to 15 minutes a day, five days a week, doing educational activities together.

HIPPY families are supported by Tutors, who schedule regular weekly or fortnightly visits to discuss and work through the program activities in the family’s home. We encourage all parents to also participate in regular parent group meetings, where possible.

HIPPY is an opportunity to learn and grow for parents as well as children

Each HIPPY program is staffed by a qualified Coordinator and a team of Tutors. Tutors are usually parents participating in the same local program as the parents they support.

Tutors are paid employees and receive training and support from the Coordinator. Becoming a Tutor offers parents a pathway to training and employment and fosters community leadership.

HIPPY builds parents’ skills and confidence to take responsibility for their children’s learning.

Where can I do HIPPY?

Anglicare NT offers HIPPY in Katherine, Darwin and Yurrwi (Milingimbi).

When should I enrol my child?

Children start HIPPY when they are aged 3: families usually start HIPPY in February two years before their child starts full-time formal schooling.

How can I enrol in HIPPY?

Priority is given to families who have not completed HIPPY before and meet one of the following conditions:

  • hold a Healthcare Card
  • child is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
  • child is in out-of-home care
  • single parent family
  • child lives with a carer
  • main language spoken at your home is not English.

HIPPY Katherine 08 8963 6100

HIPPY Darwin North and HIPPY Yurrwi 08 8985 0000.

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

Contacts