Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Great Potentials Foundation
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin
  • Email
Donate
Menu
  • Programmes
    • HIPPY - Home-based preschool education
      • HIPPY Programme
      • HIPPY Stories
      • HIPPY Locations
      • Facts & Figures
      • HIPPY LOGIN
      • HIPPY WIHLP LOGIN
    • MATES - Mentoring & Tutoring
      • MATES Programme
      • MATES Stories
      • MATES Team
      • Become a mentor
      • Facts & Figures
      • MATES LOGIN
    • Family Service Centres
      • Family Service Centres
      • Papakura Centre
      • Takanini Centre
      • FSC Team
      • Family Resources
      • Facts & Figures
    • Papakura Early Learning Centre
      • What We Offer
      • Our Curriculum
      • Our Team
      • Contact Us
  • Impact
    • The difference we make
    • Facts and figures
    • Published reports
    • Annual reports
  • Support Us
    • Make a Donation
    • Leave a legacy
    • Become a Corporate Sponsor
    • Our Supporters
  • About us
    • Our Mission
    • Our Story
    • Our People
      • Board
      • Leadership Team
    • Careers
    • Latest
      • News Stories
      • HIPPY Stories
      • MATES Stories
      • Family Service Centre Stories
      • Staff Stories
  • Contact
    • Contact Details
    • Make an enquiry
    • HIPPY Contacts
    • MATES Contacts
    • FSC Contacts
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  1. Programmes
  2. HIPPY - Home-based preschool education
  3. HIPPY Programme

HIPPY Programme

HIPPY Graduates
(Home Interaction Programme for Parents and Youngsters) is a home-based early education programme working in communities throughout New Zealand. 

HIPPY empowers parents to prepare their 2–5-year-old children for success at early childhood education (ECE) and school by fostering parents’ skills and confidence as educators.

HIPPY LOCATIONS

      


Great Potentials Foundation introduced HIPPY to New Zealand in 1992. Our results are proven over nearly 30 years.
      

HIPPY builds connections

HIPPY supports families from diverse ethnic and geographic groups and those most at risk because of poverty, parents’ limited education, and social isolation.

HIPPY helps parents build confidence and skills to create a positive learning environment to prepare their children for school.

Parents are actively supported through Home Visits and Group Meetings, where they connect with other parents. 

Each HIPPY district is managed by a qualified, professional coordinator working with para-professional tutors. 

 

How  Works


HIPPY builds confidenceThe programme works with parents of 2-5 year old children who live in specific districts across the country that have been identified by the Ministry of Education.

Children and their parents are supported through a structured curriculum that is linked to Te Whariki and the New Zealand Curriculum. The programme compromises weekly workbooks with activities that the parent completes with their child. These activities develop both the cognitive and non-cognitive skills that are essential for children to become competent learners.

HIPPY believes and practices three core premises:

1. People learn by doing
2. Parents can and do teach their children
3. Parents can teach and support other parents

      

is based on the belief that parents are their children’s first and most important teachers.   

HIPPY Coordinator recruiting families

HIPPY is unique in the way that parents are assisted to develop new skills and confidence in teaching their children.

It was designed specifically for whānau who live within communities experiencing disadvantage and may not feel confident in their ability to support their child’s education.

Many parents, for whom school was a struggle, find they have talents they were unaware of and this is the beginning of a new phase in their life.

Two generations benefit from HIPPY - as well as setting children on a positive pathway through education, the programme opens doors for parents into training, education and employment.

 

Children...HIPPY Children

develop a life-long love of learning

arrive at ECE or school ready to learn, and settle quickly into the learning environment

score better in literacy and numeracy and display a greater understanding of appropriate school behaviour than their non-HIPPY peers

retain their competency in reading and numeracy skills as they progress through school

experience increased self-esteem and confidence in learning      

 

Parents...Parents benefit from HIPPY too

benefit from increased knowledge of child development and the way children learn

gain opportunities to enjoy positive time with their children

experience increased self-confidence

create a learning environment at home

experience an overall positive improvement in family relationships

develop improved communication with their children

meet with other parents and gain a sense of inclusion and connectedness with their community

are more likely than their peers to engage in positive educational activities with their children

are more likely than their peers to become involved in school activities with their children

are more likely than their peers to seek further education for themselves

gain employment and training opportunities

   

HIPPY FACTS & FIGURES

HIPPY STORIES

Published: 15th January, 2020

Updated: 16th March, 2023

Author: Sample Content

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Introducing the MATES team for 2023

    Introducing the MATES team for 2023

    The MATES 2023 team is passionate about helping release the potential in young people. This year we will work with approximately 150 students from 11 schools across Auckland...

  • Great Potentials Annual Report 2021-2022

    Great Potentials Annual Report 2021-2022

    In 2021-2022, 4,841 children, young people and families were supported by us across New Zealand through our three life-changing programmes; HIPPY, MATES and our Family Service Centres.

  • From Ruzan: My role as the Playgroup Coordinator

    From Ruzan: My role as the Playgroup Coordinator

    Ruzan works as a Playgroup Coordinator at the Takanini Family Service Centre. She says it’s really rewarding to see smiles on the children’s faces and to watch how much they enjoy playing and exploring new things.

  • GP HIPPY Curriculum

Related

  • From Smita: My role as a HIPPY Data Administrator

    From Smita: My role as a HIPPY Data Administrator

    I love coming across people in the community who say, “I did HIPPY with my children!” or “I was a HIPPY child!”. Hearing families identify so strongly and proudly with a programme they were involved in so long ago speaks to how significant HIPPY is in our communities...

  • Zeenathul’s story: HIPPY develops positive behaviour

    Zeenathul’s story: HIPPY develops positive behaviour

    “I can see the reflection of HIPPY on my son’s day-to-day life as he continues to get awards from school for positive behaviour in learning. Bilaal has always been a shining star!”

  • Sravani's story: HIPPY taught me skills

    Sravani's story: HIPPY taught me skills

    Sravani said that participating in HIPPY taught her many skills about educating Harshitha, preparing her for school, and supporting her learning and development...

  • Krystal’s story: HIPPY was the best decision

    Krystal’s story: HIPPY was the best decision

    "I know Olivia will change the world, and you'll be proud that HIPPY helped to pave the way when that happens."- Krystal, a HIPPY parent.

  • HIPPY delivers $2.50 of social value for every $1 spent

    HIPPY delivers $2.50 of social value for every $1 spent

    Evaluating the impact of our programmes is an integral part of Great Potentials Foundation. We have been working with Impact Lab for the past few months so we can gain a deeper understanding of the social value and measurable good HIPPY brings to New Zealand society.

  • From the archives: NZ’s first Dad Tutor

    From the archives: NZ’s first Dad Tutor

    Back in 1995, John Grubner made the local newspaper for being New Zealand’s very first “HIPPY dad” tutor. The local community paper said at the time, “Mr Grubner is a rare breed as a HIPPY tutor because it is usually mums who are recruited from parents who have been through the programme...”

  • Marissa's Story:

    Marissa's Story: "HIPPY gave me confidence"

    Marissa was 18 when she had her first baby. Shy and lacking confidence, she thought her working life was over. Until she started her son on the HIPPY programme and her confidence began to grow...

  • Creating Connections in Kaikohe - with DIY Deodorant

    Creating Connections in Kaikohe - with DIY Deodorant

    Group meetings – or ‘whānau hui’ – are an important part of HIPPY, helping build connections and combat isolation. Kaikohe Coordinator, Emily Rogers, recently took her HIPPY whānau to a local drop-in centre/pregnancy hub and did a very cool enrichment activity making DIY deodorant...

  • A Community Empowered thanks to HIPPY

    A Community Empowered thanks to HIPPY

    Back in 1997, Kelston cluster school principals met to discuss how they might better engage with local families and support parents. HIPPY became the catalyst that helped empower and engage the Kelston community...

  • HIPPY Founder’s New Zealand Legacy

    HIPPY Founder’s New Zealand Legacy

    Professor Avima Lombard was HIPPY’s original founder back in 1969, in Israel. When she passed away in 2008, Dame Lesley Max wrote a piece in appreciation of Professor Lombard, giving us a glimpse into the legacy she created for us in New Zealand....

Most read

  • HIPPY Locations

    Locations and contact details for HIPPY sites around New Zealand

  • Become a mentor

    Become a mentor

    If you are a tertiary student in Auckland and are interested in becoming a MATES mentor, please complete the online application form...

  • HIPPY Programme

    HIPPY Programme

    Home Interaction Programme for Parents and Youngsters (HIPPY) is a home-based early education programme working in communities throughout New Zealand. It empowers parents to prepare their 2 - 5 year old children for success at early childhood education (ECE) and school by fostering parents' skills and confidence as educators.

  • Community Funding

    We are immensely grateful to all of our supporters who contribute in various ways to Great Potentials Foundation. Your generosity truly impacts the lives of children, young people and families propelling them towards brighter futures.

  • MATES Programme

    MATES Programme

    MATES (Mentoring and Tutoring Education Scheme) through its guided programme supports children and young people at year 8, year 13 and tertiary. Intervening at key transition points, it helps create pathways for success academically, emotionally and socially.

  • Contact Details

    Contact Details

    Address and contact information for Great Potentials Office and programmes

  • Our Mission

    Our Mission

    Working for and with children, young people and families to promote family function, relieve suffering, release potential, reduce disparities in New Zealand society, reduce crime and violence and break the cycle of disadvantage...

  • Takanini Family Service Centre

    Takanini Family Service Centre

    Family Service Centre Takanini opened its doors in January 2014. Our warm, colourful new Centre was established in partnership with the Counties Manukau Kindergarten Association, whose superb early learning centre provides a beautiful environment for the local children.

  • Papakura Family Service Centre

    Papakura Family Service Centre

    Papakura Family Service Centre & Early Learning Centre has been providing valuable services to the families in Papakura since 1992. We provide an early learning centre, the HIPPY programme, social work and advocacy, counselling and Social Workers in Schools.

  • Family Service Centres

    Family Service Centres

    Our Family Service Centres assist the community with housing, food, health care, employment support and wellbeing services as well as offering early learning services, parenting programmes, playgroups, social workers in schools, counselling and more...

Tag cloud

Early Childhood Education Te Whaariki

Keep me informed

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])
  • Sitemap
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Great Potentials Foundation is a Registered Charitable Trust with approved donee status - CC32333