YWCA’s Ngulliboo Muggi – (“All of Us Strong”) Goonellabah Transition Program (Ngulliboo Muggi – GTP), which provides a play-based early learning program for children in the year before they start school, will be transitioning to local Aboriginal community-controlled organisation Jarjum Centre from 2023.
Ngulliboo Muggi – GTP has been operating in the Lismore region for over fifteen years, with the last ten years managed by YWCA Australia. It has provided support to hundreds of Aboriginal families with complex needs and their children, by assisting with the transition from home and preschool or daycare to school.
Program Coordinator Miriam O’Grady has managed the program for the last 8 years. The best part of the job for Miriam is working with the local Aboriginal community and watching the children and their families progress and develop.
“I enjoy watching children who struggle to sit still and regulate themselves at the start of the year develop over time and become school ready. I also love watching the pride of the Jarjum parents as their child starts school, ready and excited to be there.”
According to the 2020 Closing the Gap report, First Nations children are less likely to be enrolled in early childhood education than non-First Nations children. Early childhood education is important for children’s cognitive and social development and children who attend early childhood education are also more likely to perform well at school, including in literacy and numeracy.
Programs like Ngulliboo Muggi – GTP are working to close the gap between First Nations and non-First Nations children in schools and improve their academic, social and cultural outcomes.
Transitioning the Program
YWCA is so proud of the achievements of the young children and their families that have been through Ngulliboo Muggi – GTP over the last ten years. It’s been amazing to see their development and growth through the program and beyond.
At the end of December, the program will be transitioning to be operated by local Aboriginal community-controlled organisation and program partner Jarjum Centre. We’re excited to see the program continue to have a positive impact on the community and wish the team at Jarjum Centre all the best.
