Celebrating 20 years of Better Beginnings

Better Beginnings is celebrating 20 years of supporting local families to build strong literacy foundations from birth, with ongoing support from the Shire.

Run by the State Library of WA and supported by the State Government, Rio Tinto, Royalties for Regions and all WA local governments, Better Beginnings reaches over 80,000 families across the state each year.

Locally, the program is delivered through the Margaret River Library, where our Youth & Children Librarian Rachael works closely with Child Health Nurses, schools and home-educating families to connect children with free reading packs and library programs. 

These packs encourage caregivers to read, talk, sing, write and play with their children, helping build language and learning skills from the very beginning.

Families receive packs at three key stages: baby packs at the 8-week health check from the child health nurse, toddler packs at age two and kindy packs during school visits. These kindy visits include stories, songs and fun activities, and each child receives a bright green bag filled with a book, stickers, crayons, a library booklet and information for parents.

Rachael said many families still use their Better Beginnings bags years later, and babies now arrive at Baby Rhyme Time squealing with excitement.

“Better Beginnings gives families the tools to build strong literacy foundations and it’s a privilege to be part of that journey. 

“I love seeing the smiling faces of babies, toddlers and Kindergarten kids when they receive their bags,” she said. 

To learn more, visit the official Better Beginnings website.