“Let’s Read at Susanna” was launched at a morning tea on November 7 in the presence of the local Uniting Churchminister, the Rev. David Reithmuller, and some of the St Mary’s Uniting Church congregation.
Located in St Marys inWestern Sydney, UnitingCare Susanna Children’s Centre (UCCS) provides education and care for children aged 2-5 in a long day care setting.
The UCCS management team was successful in obtaining a grant of $5,000 from the James N. Kirby foundation at the beginning of 2011. It was discovered that some of the children did not have story-books in their homes and that many of them did not have opportunities to enjoy stories with their family members.
So the idea of a lending library of books was born.
Fifty books suitable for preschool aged children were covered in contact and a lending card system was established, along with the purchase of red, cloth library bags.
Children were educated on how to care for books and the idea of borrowing. A story was read to them before each child was able to choose a book and pop it into their new library bag.
Ms Wilson said that parents have been very enthusiastic and supportive of the reading initiative and that the staff have incorporated talking about the children’s experiences of story time into daily routine. “Let’s Read at Susanna” was described as a wonderful opportunity to put into action a literacy program for children as research demonstrates that a positive experience around reading is one of the important indicators of a successful school transition.
