The Soundmill LIFT™ Literacy Program
The Soundmill Centre
- Service type:
- Program
- Support category:
- Group child support
- Educator upskilling
- Primary AEDC domain:
- Language and cognitive skills
- Secondary AEDC domains:
- Communication skills and general knowledge
- Based in:
- Southern Adelaide
- Delivery location:
- Southern Adelaide
- Delivery mode:
- In-person
- Hybrid
- Program delivery:
- By supplier to children families educators
- By ec staff with training
- Tiered intervention:
- Tier 1 universal whole service
- Cost:
- High (more than $2000 per person/item/hour)
Description
The Soundmill LIFTTM (Literacy Foundations & Teaching Framework) is an evidence-informed preschool program designed to strengthen early literacy foundations in children during the two years before school. Delivered over eight weeks, the program combines educator professional learning, in-preschool coaching and structured literacy activities that embed phonological awareness instruction within everyday preschool routines.
The program focuses on key early literacy skills, including syllable awareness, rhyme recognition, beginning and final sound identification, sound discrimination and emerging sound-to-print awareness. Learning occurs through engaging shared book reading, large-group story times, songs, games and short daily activities that integrate naturally into existing play-based preschool programs.
The Soundmill LIFTTM is a universal Tier 1 program that builds educator capability alongside children's school readiness. Grounded in peer-reviewed research and extensive clinical experience, the program supports stronger early literacy outcomes, sustainable teaching practices and a confident transition to formal schooling.
Expected outcomes include:
- Improved early phonological awareness skills
- Greater speech sound discrimination and emerging sound-to-print awareness
- Increased engagement in shared reading and group literacy activities
- Enhanced school readiness and early literacy foundations
- Increased educator confidence in teaching phonological awareness
- Sustainable embedding of evidence-informed literacy practices within preschool routines
How this is delivered
The Soundmill LIFTTM is delivered as an 8-week, whole-preschool Tier 1 program embedded within everyday preschool routines. The program combines educator professional learning, in-preschool coaching and structured literacy activities that complement existing play-based programs.
Prior to implementation, educators participate in a 2-hour professional learning session introducing phonological awareness, early literacy development and the program framework. During the 8-week cycle, educators deliver two structured large-group story sessions each week (15–20 minutes) and embed short daily sound activities into routines such as songs, transitions, mat time and shared reading.
The Soundmill Centre provides a program manual, lesson guides, activity resources and four coaching sessions across the implementation period. Coaching includes modelling, observation, feedback and practical support to strengthen educator confidence and capability.
The program is delivered in partnership with preschool educators and is designed to build sustainable practice beyond the funded period. It can be delivered in-person or through a hybrid model and is adaptable for metropolitan, regional and diverse preschool settings.
Cost
Total program cost is $8200 (excluding GST).
The price assumes:
- Delivery to one preschool site
- Travel is included within Southern metropolitan Adelaide
- Participation of preschool educators in the professional learning session
- Access to suitable space for educator training and coaching visits
- Delivery during normal preschool operating hours
Contact the provider
Contact name: Practice Manager
Contact email: admin@thesoundmillcentre.com.au
Contact phone: 0456 484 058
Contact website: www.thesoundmillcentre.com.au