Nurture Nest is a four-week program to help parents of pre-school babies and children to learn more about their children's physical health and well being, communication skills, social and emotional maturity, language and cognitive skills.

The four-week program has started in Hawkesdale and Port Fairy and was developed and refined at Koroit and District Primary School.

The expansion into Mortlake is supported by South West Local Learning and Employment Network and Beyond the Bell with funding from the State Trustees Australia Foundation. Partners also include Corangamite Regional Library Corporation, Mortlake Kindergarten, Mortlake P12 College, Mortlake Shire Council and St Colman’s School.

Nurture Nest involves four weekly sessions where parents learn more about their children with the ultimate aim that they can support their children’s learning and better prepare them to be ready for school.

Mortlake College P-12 prep teacher Sue Amos said Nurture Nest would be a fantastic addition for local parents.

The program will be trialled over four weeks in Mortlake and cover social and emotional maturity, speech and communication development, nutrition and healthy eating.

The first session will be on Tuesday July 19 from 9am -10.30am at the Mortlake library.

“It can benefit and add value for all parents and give parents different perspectives and ideas on developing their children and making sure they are in good habits and ready for kinder and school,” Ms Amos said.

“We’re not telling parents how to parent; we’re just adding some valuable programs and ideas from professionals.”

Mortlake Kindergarten teacher Jane Gough said the Nurture Nest could provide new information and strategies for parents.

“We’re very excited about the concept and believe it will support parents at home to prepare children for kinder and school,” Ms Gough said.

“It’s not saying children have issues but it will help parents become more aware of early childhood development expectations and to recognise any potential problems,” she added.

South West LLEN senior partnership broker Helen Bayne said Nurture Nest was developed to address concerns about the number of children seemingly being ill-prepared to start school.

“Across this region and indeed across the whole country we hear from kindergarten and prep teachers that an increasing number of students have low levels of oral language, low fine and gross motor skills and lack confidence and social dependence,” Mrs Bayne said.

“Our concern is that if students start behind they stay behind.”

Topics are selected based on issues identified by schools and facilitated by guest experts, including teachers, occupational therapists, social workers, psychologists and speech pathologists.

Families who participate in the program also receive children’s books, games and physical activity equipment they can use with their children.

For more information contact Sue Amos on 55 992204 or Jane Gough on 55 992383.