Home Interaction Program for Parents & Youngsters (HIPPY)

HIPPY is a fun, free program for families

You are your child’s first and most important teacher. HIPPY gives you access to fun, free tools and activities for you and your child – you’ll gain new skills and confidence and connect with other parents.

HIPPY program

Join HIPPY with your 3 year old child and support their learning in the two years before they start school.

HIPPY Home Mentors will visit you and bring storybooks and activity packs. Mentors will practice the activities with you so that you feel confident doing them with your child.

Each activity helps your child learn through play and supports their development in five different learning areas.

HIPPY only takes 10-15 minutes a day of learning and playing with your child to make change that lasts a lifetime.

HIPPY gatherings

Gatherings are fun, welcoming and family-friendly.

They’re an opportunity for you to meet other HIPPY families, learn about your child’s development and to hear about local services and events in your community.

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

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

Mentors are paid employees and receive training and support from the Coordinator. Becoming a Mentor 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