smalltalk

Program details

Program description

smalltalk is a set of evidence-based strategies that are shared with parents in a way that recognises that parents are the experts on their children. It recognises the current positive efforts parents are making towards their child's development. Strategies can be shared with parents in early childhood services and/or when visiting the family home.

The program is targeted at parents with children aged from birth up to school age who may benefit from extra ideas about how to use everyday opportunities and activities to enhance their child's early literacy and learning in the home.

smalltalk facilitators are trained in effective ways to engage with parents and are introduced to methods for casually introducing these strategies.

Detailed cost

• Two-day training program for up to 10 participants (within metropolitan Melbourne): $8,400 (including GST, training materials, venue and catering).
• For workshops elsewhere, travel charged as per the ATO current mileage reimbursement rate, accommodation and incidentals at $290 per night. Contact the provider for details.

Cancellation policy

Cancellation by the client organisation:

• More than 30 days before the agreed delivery date, the client may cancel with no cancellation fee. Any amounts already paid will be fully refunded.
• 15–30 days before delivery, a 50% cancellation fee applies. If full payment has been made, 50% will be refunded due to venue, printing and administrative costs incurred to date.
• 14 days or fewer before delivery, a 100% cancellation fee applies due to trainer allocation, preparation time, and scheduling commitments.

Rescheduling by the client organisation:

• More than 30 days before delivery, one free reschedule to a mutually agreed date.
• 14–30 days before delivery, rescheduling is permitted with a 25% rescheduling fee.
• Less than 14 days before delivery, rescheduling is treated as a cancellation (100% fee) with the option to book a new date at full cost.

Changes to scope or delivery requirements - any requested changes to focus, duration, location or delivery format must be mutually agreeable. Additional preparation or customisation may incur fees, at a rate agreed in advance.

Cancellation or rescheduling by the Training Provider (Parenting Research Centre) - if provider must cancel due to unforeseen circumstances, the client may choose a full refund or reschedule (to the earliest mutually suitable date) at no cost.

Payment schedule

• 50% deposit payment upon agreement of workshop date
• 50% upon completion of one-day training workshop.

Implementation considerations

• Target population: parents of children aged 12 months to 47 months who are experiencing disadvantage. Group size and eligibility for smalltalk follows the Supported Playgroup requirements.
• Program/practice descriptions and details: smalltalk video examples and manuals can be obtained as part of training. See program website for samples of the baby and toddler video clips.
• Training requirements: training comprises online e-learning that takes approximately four hours, followed by a two-day, active skills-based training workshop. Workshops can be scheduled to suit services, in consultation with the provider. There are no prerequisites to participate in the smalltalk training and to become a smalltalk provider.
• Supervision/coaching: smalltalk facilitators receive coaching and implementation support to help them deliver the program faithfully.
• Staffing: services should consider the cost of backfill when determining the cost of accessing this resource.
• Program adaptability: smalltalk can be adapted to fit many early childhood settings, in consultation with the provider. Facilitators can deliver the content to individual parents/carers, or to small or large groups.
• Factors to consider: the provider offers consultation, training, and implementation support.
  Consider how staff may be able to share the practice knowledge they obtain from this resource with others at the service. This will ensure that improved approaches to practice or innovative ideas can be implemented across the service as a whole.

• Tools and systems: for elearning, learners will need to:

  • view the modules on a laptop or PC (not a tablet)
  • access the modules via the latest version of their web browser
  • access the modules via a broadband connection of 512Kbps or faster to ensure smooth delivery of audio-visual content
  • ensure that cookies, JavaScript and pop-ups are enabled
  • have the latest version of a PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat Reader installed
  • use an audio device such as speakers or headphones
  • have Abode Flash player 10.3 or higher
  • have a screen resolution of 1024 x 768 or better.

  Ongoing delivery of smalltalk to families involves the provision of some non-paper-based parenting materials, which can be purchased at cost from the provider. Other paper-based materials are downloadable from the restricted area of the smalltalk website.

• Australian experience: smalltalk was developed and trialled in Australia. In Victoria, smalltalk was funded by the Victorian Department of Education and Training and developed and rolled out by the Parenting Research Centre.

VEYLDF alignment

Item uses these practice principles

• Partnerships with families
• High expectations for every child
• Respectful relationships and responsive engagement

Item responds to these sub-outcomes

• Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes
• Children begin to understand how symbols and pattern systems work
• Children engage with a range of texts and get meaning from these texts