Occupational therapy students join Broome early learning centre to strengthen early development

Children at a Broome early learning service have benefited from a new collaboration with university students, designed to boost developmental outcomes while supporting future allied health professionals.

The Y Broome Early Learning Centre has partnered with the Marjarlin Kimberley Centre for Remote Health and the University of Notre Dame Australia to host occupational therapy students throughout July.

The placement program allowed students to work alongside educators, embedding developmental strategies into daily routines and supporting children through play-based learning experiences.

Y WA chief executive Dr Tim McDonald said the initiative is a win–win for both students and children.

“Collaborations like this strengthen learning opportunities for both the students and the young children in our care,” Dr McDonald said. “It nurtures the next generation of allied health professionals while delivering real impact for children, families and educators.”

Y Broome Early Learning Centre Director Tracy Mathers said the program brought much-needed developmental support to the service, particularly in a region where families often face long waiting times to access specialist services.

“While the students are not there to provide formal assessments, initiatives like this bring timely support into the centre at no extra cost to families,” Ms Mathers said. “They also assist educators to learn strategies for supporting children right when it matters most, setting them up for success at school and beyond.”

Throughout the month, students integrated into the centre’s daily schedule, joining children during play, rest and structured learning time. These interactions were used as opportunities to provide targeted support that complemented the educators’ practices.

The program also provided valuable learning for the students, giving them practical experience in working within early learning environments and understanding the unique challenges faced in remote communities.

The partnership builds on the centre’s existing School ReadY Program, which supports early literacy, numeracy and social-emotional wellbeing for children transitioning to school.

The collaboration with occupational therapy students adds another layer to these efforts, enhancing early intervention and strengthening the centre’s ability to meet children’s developmental needs.

Encouraged by the success of the initiative, the Y is exploring opportunities to expand the program to include speech pathology and physiotherapy students in future placements.

By fostering these partnerships, the service aims to improve access to developmental support for children in the Kimberley region while contributing to the professional growth of allied health students.

“This is just the beginning,” Ms Mathers said. “We hope to see more collaborations like this, ensuring every child has the best start to their learning journey.”

Visit the YMCA Brome Early Learning Centre here.

To read the original coverage of this story, as produced by the Broome Advertiser, please see here.