Collaboration brings Y WA’s innovative School ReadY Program to Victoria

A collaborative partnership between the Y Western Australia (WA) and the Y Whittlesea is set to bring the highly successful School ReadY Program to Victoria, following strong outcomes across Western Australia.

Developed by the Y WA, the School ReadY Program is a unique, evidence-based initiative informed by contemporary research into early childhood learning and brain development. Since April 2024, the literacy and language component of the program has been implemented across all 14 Y WA Early Learning Centres (ELCs), delivering measurable benefits for children preparing for formal schooling.

After learning of the program’s success in WA, a group of educators from Orchard Road ELC in Doreen, Victoria, travelled to Perth in February 2025 to observe the program in action and participate in a Literacy and Language Professional Learning Workshop.

During their visit, educators received targeted training, practical tools and program resources, enabling them to pilot the School ReadY Program at Orchard Road ELC in 2025. The pilot delivered strong outcomes for children, prompting plans to expand the program across all Y Whittlesea services.

Further collaboration occurred in August 2025, when Y WA Executive Manager Early Childhood and Care, Iain Dennis, and Y WA Literacy Specialist Renee Chakaodza visited Orchard Road ELC to conduct lesson observations, review program delivery and support the effective use of School ReadY resources.

With ongoing guidance and collaboration from the WA team, the School ReadY Program will be rolled out across all seven Y Whittlesea Early Learning Centres from February 2026. Participating services include Diggers Rest ELC, Eucalyptus Parade Kindergarten, Galada Kindergarten, Kirrip Kindergarten, Millpark Heights Childcare Centre, The Heights Kindergarten and Orchard Road Community and Early Learning Centre.

The School ReadY Program supports children’s development across three key domains: literacy and language, social and emotional wellbeing, and numeracy. Since April 2024, the literacy and language component has supported children aged 3–5 to build strong oral language and early literacy skills through intentional teaching combined with play-based learning experiences.

The Y WA Literacy Specialist Renee Chakaodza said, “Our School ReadY Program provides opportunities for children to develop fundamental pre-literacy and oral language skills including phonological awareness, semantic knowledge, narrative skills and comprehension. Developing these critical skills before they start school has a lasting impact because the early years are a period of enormous growth”.

Rebecca Davis, Y Whittlesea General Manager Early Years, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to innovation and high-quality early learning. “At Y Whittlesea, we are always looking for evidence-based approaches that deliver the best outcomes for children. Through our partnership with the Y WA, we are excited to integrate the literacy and language component of the School ReadY Program into our curriculum from 2026.”

In WA, further work is already underway to expand the program, with resources to support social and emotional wellbeing currently in development. A numeracy component will finally complete the program, ensuring a holistic approach to supporting children’s development before they start school.

For a sneak peek of the School ReadY Program in action at Y Whittlesea Orchard Road ELC, view here: - View Video