Millions pledged to get kids ready for school

A  PROGRAM that prepares disadvantaged children for school will be expanded, offering more than 4000 children assistance.

A HOME-BASED parenting program that targets disadvantaged families and uses tutors to prepare children for school will be expanded to cover an additional 50 sites across Australia, offering more than 4000 children intensive assistance.

The program will now target indigenous children who are falling through the cracks before they even get to school.

Minister for Early Childhood Kate Ellis will today reveal the Gillard government is increasing its investment in the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters scheme to double the number of sites across Australia.

Dubbed HIPPY, the program run by the Brotherhood of St Laurence has exceeded all expectations and provided a stunning return on a modest taxpayer investment.

Under the scheme, parents are mentored on how to help their children learn before they go to school.

"This is a $100 million investment into bringing early childhood development to 50 new sites across regional and remote Australia to give indigenous children the chance for a solid start to school," Ms Ellis said.

"Importantly, the HIPPY program is about engaging the community to be a part of the early childhood development of children in their community, to ensure children enjoy learning in the family home.

"The program supports parents, and provides fortnightly visits from tutors to help parents and carers integrate learning activities and materials, such as storybooks, into their daily family life."

Ms Ellis said the government wanted to hear from communities that were interested in introducing the two-year program to their area.

The expression of interest submission period will close on February 1.