What. How. Why.
Educational Sessions for rural & socially isolated children – learning through play… together
What​
Our team of qualified Early Childhood educators provide educational playsessions at 16 venues, on a fortnightly basis across the New England at the following locations: Bald Blair, Ebor, Ben Lomond, Wongwibinda, Kentucky, Uralla, Bundarra, Wollomombi, Tingha, Hernani, Guyra, Goorialla (at Guyra), Walcha, Bendemeer and Black Mountain. Gubi’s accessible and structured early childhood sessions provide experiences for 350 children from birth to school-age, from 199 families at community venues throughout the townships and villages of the New England region. In addition, Gubi offers a Toy and Parent Resource Library and provides support to other community programs, such as the Armajun Aboriginal Health Service, through the provision of equipment and resources for educational programs.
Gubi also works with the regional early intervention and community nurses to provide support in the areas of child development, nutrition and health checks. Gubi are able to refer families to services that support specific identified needs which is critical for socially and geographically isolated families that may not be aware of the need for additional support or reluctant to seek advice.
How
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We use an emergent curriculum format as we program and plan experiences for children - and base our programs on the National Quality Framework and the National Quality Standards.
At playgroup, the children and, importantly, the parents become involved in creative arts, dance, play (which develops both fine and gross motor skills), and storytelling sessions. Gubi also provides a toy borrowing service, and there is a regular newsletter and information imparted via social media, resources and referral available for the parents and the community.
Gubi takes an anti-bias approach embracing the child, their family and community and is committed to access and equity regardless of the circumstances, ability or background of each child. The priority for our educational programs is on supporting individual children and on identifying their specific needs and the needs of their families.
Why
We believe that educationally based play sessions provide a vital role in the early childhood development of children and their families in rural, remote and isolated areas. Our play sessions cover cognitive, fine and gross motor development and focus on developing sensory and social skills of children and they strongly encourage the participation of parents. The increase in demand for Gubi Gabun’s unique educational service in New England is testament to our successful efforts in educating and supporting children and their parents. The service operates two fully equipped vans from a central base in Armidale. Our playgroups provide our families an environment where they can bond with their children through play and also a much needed outing to socialise and exchange ideas with other parents.
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