Early childhood activities support children’s learning and development in the years before they start school. When children begin school ready to learn, the benefits are felt not only by the child, but also by their family and school community.
Early childhood
Many families who spend time in a hub have not previously accessed early childhood services. By being embedded in primary schools, hubs provide a trusted, accessible pathway for families to engage in playgroups and other early childhood activities. These experiences support children’s social and emotional development while helping families build familiarity with the school environment.
Early childhood programs also support parents and carers to feel more confident and connected to their child’s learning. Through regular contact with the school and hub leader, parents learn more about how schools work, how children learn, and how they can support learning at home. This early engagement helps parents feel welcome, informed and comfortable participating in school life.
For schools, hubs create opportunities to connect with families well before children commence formal schooling. This early relationship-building allows schools to better understand individual family needs, identify support requirements early, and support smoother transitions into kindergarten and school. In turn, this strengthens relationships between families and schools and supports more positive learning outcomes for children.
Through these activities, hubs help children develop confidence, social skills and familiarity with a school environment – laying the foundations for a positive transition into school.
Story of impact
At Chester Hill Public School hub in Canterbury-Bankstown (NSW), a supported playgroup delivered in partnership with Creating Links provided a welcoming space for families with young children.
The Parent and Child Play group was co-designed with families and grew steadily over time, creating opportunities for parents to connect, build confidence and engage more fully with the school community. Through the hub, some families also accessed wider support services, including counselling, speech pathology and family support.
Together, these connections helped more children arrive at school ready to learn – socially, emotionally and academically.
