Parents and time constraints often go hand-in-hand but one Northern primary school has adapted to meet the needs of its changing community.
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Summerdale Primary School is now offering more flexibility in its Launch into Learning program and has already seen the benefits.
The school's LiL program now runs over four days of the week and has sessions in the morning, afternoon and even sometimes evening, to cater to families of all shapes and sizes.
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Launch into Learning teacher and Summerdale advanced skills teacher Jodi Claxton said the program had changed to its new model for this school year and had seen a jump in the number of people attending due to its expansion.
She said the value of early learning could not be underestimated.
"There is a marked difference in the kids who have been exposed to early learning and the ones who haven't," Mrs Claxton said.
"The ones who have are just so much more prepared for the transition to school."
The Summerdale LiL program is open to anyone with children from birth to five years old and can cater for those in the community outside the school's catchment area.
Mrs Claxton said the program had dedicated classes for music, play and reading and offers specialised baby and pre-Kinder classes.
Launch into Learning is a state government initiative and is run from schools across the state.
However, the times and session types vary at each school. The program helps to ensure all young people have the same start to their education prior to them beginning their formal education.
Data by the Australian Council for Educational Research confirms the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students is equivalent to three years of schooling at age 15.
Students who experience disadvantage report lower levels of motivation to learn and achieve more than their advantaged peers.
Mrs Claxton said the changes were made in response to feedback from the community about the need for flexibility.
"Communities are changing, we know it's much more common to families to have two working parents. It's been great to see more dads and grandparents turning up to our sessions," she said.
Summerdale also runs one "after-work" session once or twice per term to cater to working families.
To keep up to date on Summerdale's LiL program, or have more questions, contact them via Facebook.