In response to community need, YMCA Tauranga is pleased to announce the launch of its Mothers and Pre-schoolers Programme.
The programme will focus on activities and needs of the caregiver, their preschooler and their parenting skills.
All activities will have a literacy flavour with a practical application.

File picture of Tauranga YMCA staff.

Activities include cooking healthy and low fat meals, hygiene, health agencies and their services, budgeting, knowledge of community help agencies, childcare and support organisations as well as time gaining computer skills.
The course is aimed primarily at Mothers with preschooler children from all cultures and backgrounds that have literacy needs but fathers and primary caregivers are also welcome.
Mothers are the primary educators and influence on children especially in their first few years of life.
Increasing the mother's literacy level and their awareness of literacy opportunities for their preschoolers that are in the home will have a positive effect for everyone.
Education manager for the YMCA, Judy Kane, says there is a clear need to provide programmes to equip parents with greater literacy and numeracy skills as their level of literacy has a huge impact on their children.
'We need to convince parents of the importance of education and literacy as a crucial part of the development of their child.
The better educated the parent, the more they will value education and encourage their children” says Judy.
The programme is free to participants and delivered in small groups one a day a week from 9am to 2pm, for 20 weeks. Children attend with their parent and the YMCA provides transportation, morning tea, and lunch.
It is a fantastic programme and interest is very strong. The first of four courses starts on February 8. Please contact maps@ymcatauranga.org.nz or call 579 6534 for more information.