BUSHkids Annual Report 2022-23

Celebrating eKindy Over the past seven years, BUSHkids has been working with the Brisbane School of Distance Education to operate a program on behalf of the Department of Education, facilitating eKindy pods in rural locations. eKindy is an innovative distance education program enabling parents living in rural and remote areas to provide a kindy experience for their four-year-old children. It provides a space for children to develop, play, socialise and build confidence in the school environment, leading to successful and supported transitions to school. BUSHkids’ involvement with the eKindy program dates back to 2016 when our first pilot eKindy pod was delivered at Proston State School. The then-principal approached BUSHkids to facilitate a pod with funds raised by the local community. Proston proved a great success and more rural schools began fundraising to provide BUSHkids-facilitated eKindy. The Department of Education proposed a trial and funded 14 pods in 2017 across the Darling Downs and Central Queensland and the number of pods peaked at 26 pre-COVID in 2019. Facilitators received crucial support from qualified early childhood distance education teachers, ensuring the program’s effectiveness. Parents’ feedback consistently expressed high levels of satisfaction, emphasising the program’s quality and safety standards. School principals reported a seamless transition to Prep for children participating in eKindy pods. During 2021-2023 the partnership between BUSHkids and Education continued, offering eKindy opportunities for children in rural and remote areas. Our Lead Early Years Educator designed age- appropriate play experiences and provided support to facilitators in rural communities. The evolution of eKindy pods in Queensland, from their inception in 2016 to their current position, has played a vital role in providing socialisation and readiness for formal schooling to many rural and remote children. The success of these programs is evident in the positive feedback received from parents and educators, underscoring the significant and enduring impact on children’s lives.

Feedback from parents

“Her social skills have improved, and her fine motor skills too. We have loved the pod days at Kenilworth. I just wish we had more days.” “Yes, she loves attending the school and interacting with others. Her social skills have improved greatly throughout the year. She is a lot better at moderating her emotions in the classroom.” “Settled in really well, he is really enjoying it, he doesn’t want to come home!” “[Child’s name] coming on leaps and bounds. Her language has really gotten better.” [Child has] “improved her communication skills and has expressed a desire to try new hobbies. [Child] would like more days at the eKindy pods.”

Feedback from Principals

“The eKindy pod makes a great different for transitioning to school. We can easily notice who are the children that attended a pod

as they are ready to start school.”

“At the beginning of the year the teachers know exactly the children who came from an eKindy pod as they already know the school environment, children and teachers.” “The eKindy pods are essential for children in remote areas who don’t have access to other kinds of care.”

We look forward to working with the Department of Education to continue to support young children’s development in the future.

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Annual Report 2022–23