Building Home Libraries (BHL) is an early years, multilayered literacy intervention program. It aims to build children’s learning capacity, oral language and literacy development. The BHL program will provide children and their families with quality picture books, craft resources and tip sheets. Your service will also receive a copy of the books and play resources, creating consistency between what the child is reading at home, and what they are reading at your service, and it is that consistency which helps foster a love of reading and lifelong learning. Many families have limited or no access to quality picture books, play ideas and resources and need more help to understand the role they can play in their child’s early learning. The valuable combination of access to books and resources, along with role modelling fosters improved daily, quality interactions with children supporting better developmental outcomes. For more information on the program, visit: https://raisingliteracy.org.au/professional-learning/

Expected outcomes for this program are:

• increased literacy engagement from families and children
• develop an understanding of the neuroscience behind positive interactions and early childhood brain development
• gain strategies on engaging families with varying literacy levels and incorporating play into reading.

The program is initially delivered via an online training session, detailing the program and advice on delivery/engagement with families. The training is downloadable so you can access it at any time. Book packs are sent out to centres each school term as a regular delivery for distribution. A pre- and post-program survey is sent out for feedback and evaluation at the start and end of the program. Regular check-ins with centres throughout the program are initiated by Raising Literacy Australia staff, to offer additional support and answer questions. Raising Literacy Australia is available anytime throughout the year to offer additional support.

A 3-month program is delivered for $172.73 per child and $263.64 per centre, including a starter pack and 2 monthly packs, storage tub and professional development training session. A 6-month program is delivered for $227.27 per child and $318.18 per centre, including a starter pack and 5 monthly packs, storage tub and professional development training session. A 9-month program is delivered for $263.64 per child and $354.55 per centre, including a starter pack and 8 monthly packs, storage tub and professional development training session. A 12-month program is delivered for $300 per child and $390.91 per centre, including a starter pack and 11 monthly packs, storage tub and professional development training session.