Caregivers and service providers’ perspectives on a Western Australian aboriginal community’s 0–3 years, early learning programme

A broad range of initiatives including early intervention programmes have been implemented in Australia to assist disadvantaged and at-risk Indigenous parents and children. This qualitative exemplar case study details the perspectives of caregivers and service providers of one such early learning intervention programme situated within the remote Mowanjum community in Western Australia. Twelve participants were interviewed and their transcript data were analysed thematically. The findings reveal participants maintained that the Mowanjum Early Learning Program provided psychological benefits for both the attending infants and their caregivers. Additionally, that the programme facilitated learning and skill development in the children, which in turn enhanced their preschool readiness. Finally, participants maintained that a further significant benefit of the programme was that it provided caregivers with a supportive and safe respite place in which they could socialize and engage with their child free from the tribulations associated with raising children within a remote community.