Partnership to boost early childhood literacy outcomes extended

More disadvantaged Indigenous children based in Taree and beyond will have access to early education programs thanks to a partnership between Greater Charitable Foundation and the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF).

Greater Charitable Foundation has funded ALNF’s Early Language and Literacy Taree Project since 2019, which has provided training, mentoring, support and resources to 13 sites across the Taree area, impacting over 560 disadvantaged children.

The refreshed three-year partnership extension will see Greater Charitable Foundation invest a further $272,250 that will enable ALNF to expand the Early Language and Literacy Program to sites in Taree and surrounding townships.

The project model delivered by ALNF goes beyond teaching children by building capacity within the community. It equips teachers, parents and other family and community members with the skills and knowledge to teach their own children the foundational language and literacy skills required for success at school and in later life.

Mary-Ruth Mendel, ALNF Chair and Co-Founder, said the funding is critical to the continuity and expansion of the program across the region.

“To achieve sustainable outcomes, ALNF adopts a place-based, community strengthening framework in its approach to service delivery. We do this by engaging with preschool, school, service providers, families and other relevant stakeholders to implement evidence-based, culturally appropriate practices for children’s early language and literacy development.”

“The new partnership funding will enable ALNF to expand our support to offer the program to at least 40 educators working across 15 learning sites in Taree and the nearby towns of Old Bar, Nabiac and Coolongolook.

“Over three years, ALNF will deliver targeted, evidence-based training and resources to educators, parents, carers and other interested community members aiming to equip local adults to support the foundational language and literacy development of more than 500 children.