Y WA Broome Early Learning Centre welcomes speech pathology students to support early language development

As part of a practical placement designed to support early language development, children at the Y WA Broome Early Learning Centre (ELC) have benefited from the expertise and fresh perspectives of two Speech Pathology students through a partnership between the Y WA and the Majarlin Kimberley Centre for Remote Health at the University of Notre Dame Australia. 

Master’s students from the University of Technology Sydney, Yasunori Park and James Psihoyos, completed their placement across August and September under the supervision of Majarlin Speech Pathology Clinical Educator Sarah Mtandwa. They gained valuable hands-on experience in an early learning environment, working alongside educators and engaging with children through everyday play and learning activities.

The placement forms part of an ongoing collaboration between the Y WA and Majarlin Kimberley Centre for Remote Health, University of Notre Dame Australia, providing valuable learning opportunities for allied health students while bringing additional expertise into Y WA’s early learning centres.

Y WA Broome ELC Assistant Director Chloe Cicurel said the partnership was a great example of how collaboration between education, health and early learning services could deliver benefits well beyond the placement itself.

“Having Speech Pathology students spend time in our centre gives them the opportunity to see first-hand how children develop communication and language skills in an early learning environment, while our educators can also gain new ideas and strategies to support children’s development,” she said.

“Early childhood is such an important time for language development, so creating opportunities to build knowledge and awareness around communication skills can have a really positive impact for children and families.”

The collaboration has already demonstrated its potential to deliver long-term benefits for the Broome community. One Speech Pathology student who completed a placement at the Y WA Broome ELC last year has since graduated and is now planning to move to the Broome area to begin her career.

Ms Cicurel said this was a fantastic outcome and highlighted the important role regional placements could play in encouraging future allied health professionals to consider building their careers in regional communities.

“To see a student who completed a placement with us last year go on to finish her studies and plan to return to Broome to work is incredibly exciting,” she said.

“It shows the true value of these partnerships. Students get meaningful experience in a regional setting, they get to know our community, and hopefully we can inspire more of them to see Broome as a great place to live and build a career.”

Ms Mtandwa from Majarlin Kimberley Centre for Remote Health, who supervised the students added, “These placements give children meaningful access to early speech pathology support, strengthening communication and language foundations that set them up for lifelong learning. 

“For students, the experience is equally transformative. They gain authentic, community embedded learning, deepen their understanding of culturally responsive practice, and build confidence in remote clinical work.

“Supporting passionate students while watching children thrive through enriched communication opportunities is one of the greatest privileges of my role. It highlights the power of meaningful placements, strong community partnerships, and our shared commitment to improving early childhood outcomes across the Kimberley.”

The placement also complements the Y WA’s School ReadY Program, which is delivered across all 14 of its Early Learning Centres and focuses on key developmental areas including oral language and pre-literacy.

The Y WA and the Majarlin Kimberley Centre for Remote Health, University of Notre Dame Australia, have previously collaborated to provide Occupational Therapy students with placement opportunities at the Y WA Broome ELC, with the partnership continuing to expand opportunities for allied health students to gain practical experience in early learning settings.