The Bringing Up Great Kids (BUGK) program was developed and established by the Australian Childhood Foundation (2005). BUGK has been independently evaluated by the Australian Institute of Family Studies and identified as an evidence-based program by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services for use by agencies funded through Communities for Children. The program supports the development of mindful and positive relationships between parents/carers and children. The program provides an integrated suite of activities and tools that offer parents and carers a fresh way to understand and enact relationships with their children. The programs focus on building positive and nurturing relationships between parents and their children. The program support parents and carers with practical strategies to understand and enhance relationships with their children, promoting increasing respectful interactions and encouraging the development of children’s positive self-identity. For more information on the program, visit: https://ucwb.org.au/parenting-groups-and-workshops/

Expected outcomes for this program are:

• strategies to support and enhance positive relationships between parents, carers and educators and children (emotional maturity)
• improving communication and enhancing relationships between children and parents, educators and carers
• supporting understanding of brain development in the early years (physical health and wellbeing)
• improving ability to implement strategies to support positive communication practices at home and in the ECEC setting (communication and general knowledge).

This program is delivered in-person over 6 weeks and includes a series of interactive activities with practical resources and strategies for carers and relationships. The program sessions each build on earlier content. To ensure you get the most from the program it is recommended you attend each session. Sessions typically occur weekly however, can be increased or decreased depending on site requirements. BUGK can be adapted to meet the needs of parents from different backgrounds and with different experiences through incorporation of variations to the curriculum. This makes the program suitable for First Nations, CALD and at-risk populations.

The program is delivered for $1,398 per group. The cost may vary depending on the desired length of program, participants numbers (greater or less than 10) and required travel. Travel up to 1 hour is included. If further travel is required, it will be charged at $0.99 per km.