Education Assistance

All school-age children in grades Reception to Year 12/13 who have been referred to our services and are unable to attend school full time as a result of their childhood cancer diagnosis and treatment.

One-on-one tuition while your child is unable to attend school regularly may help them by: 

• providing continuity of education
• providing the opportunity to be productive
• maintaining a familiar routine
• providing the opportunity to build confidence and self-esteem
• providing the opportunity to build new relationships
• providing a focus outside of treatment
• reducing stress and anxiety related to missing school

What happens once my child is registered for the Home Tutor Scheme?

You will be contacted by our team to confirm that we have received your registration and discuss your requirements. We will work with parents/caregivers to find a suitable tutor and will conduct regular follow ups with families and tutors.

How does tutoring fit with the support I receive from Hospital Schools SA?

Home tutoring is an additional form of educational support. With your permission, we will work collaboratively with Hospital Schools SA (HSSA) to support your child’s schooling and enable a coordinated approach to their learning.

How long can my child remain on the HTS for? Is there a limit on the number of sessions?

There is no limit on the length of time your child can access the HTS, provided that they continue to meet eligibility criteria and it is deemed that that HTS is the most appropriate form of tutoring support for your child. You will be contacted each school term for a review of the scheme and your child’s eligibility. These termly reviews also assist with planning the best educational support for your child in advance. 

What happens once my child has returned to school full time?

Once your child has made the transition to full-time attendance at school, they are no longer eligible for the HTS. However, they may become eligible for further tutoring support offered by other organisations. Please let us know if you would like a referral. 

I know of a suitable tutor in my area / my child’s school has offered to help. Can they support my child through the HTS?

You are welcome to discuss potential tutors for your child with our team. Tutors for the HTS must meet our tutor criteria, including but not limited to:

• Holding a current Working with Children Check (WWCC)
• Providing an ABN
• Being a South Australian registered teacher, or
• Being a retired teacher with previous registration, or
• Being a school-employed SSO, or
• Working for a professional tutoring company

We are often looking for appropriately qualified people to provide tutoring support as part of the HTS. We match the students based upon your preferred subject areas and geographical location. 

To become a tutor for the HTS you must meet the following criteria, including but not limited to:

• Holding a current Working with Children Check (WWCC)
• Providing an ABN
• Being a South Australian registered teacher, or
• Being a retired teacher with previous registration, or
• Being a school-employed SSO, or
• Working for a professional tutoring company 

If you are interested in tutoring students registered for the HTS, please contact the Family Service Team. 

Please note that while we welcome tutors onto our database, we cannot guarantee that a student matching your geographical location and subject preferences will become available.

All preschool aged children (1-5 years old) who have been referred to our services and are unable to attend their regular early learning settings (e.g. playgroup, kindy, ELC) due to their childhood cancer diagnosis and its treatment are eligible to attend CCA Playgroup.

The playgroup is also available to preschool aged siblings (1- 5 years old) who are unable to attend their regular early learning settings due to their sibling’s cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Playgroup sessions are fun and interactive for your child, and may provide the following benefits:

• A stimulating environment to learn and develop
• Opportunities for social interaction and building new relationships
• Opportunities for the development of language and listening skills
• Opportunities to try new activities, develop new skills and confidence
• Establishing a routine for the child outside of treatment
• Assisting with the development of school readiness skills

Participation in playgroup may also provide benefits for parents, including:

• The opportunity to play and interact with your child in a fun environment
• The opportunity to meet other parents
• Exposure to new activities to try at home with your child
• Providing a positive activity to engage in with your child outside of treatment
• The opportunity to discuss your child’s learning, development and school readiness with an Early Childhood Teacher
• Providing a setting for you and your child that is developed exclusively for children receiving oncology treatment and their siblings, with their specific needs in mind

What happens once I register for playgroup?

Once your child has registered for playgroup, our team will be in touch to confirm that we have received your registration and answer any questions you may have. You will then be able to come along to our playgroup sessions each Friday morning (in-person or online, as per schedule). 

What sort of activities will my child experience at playgroup?

Our playgroup teacher is experienced in providing a variety of fun, developmentally appropriate activities for your child. These activities include sensory activities, activities targeting fine and gross motor skill development, pretend play, singing, reading, opportunities for turn-taking and developing other social skills.

I have some concerns or questions about my child’s school readiness, can playgroup help?

Yes. The playgroup was designed to address the concerns of parents that preschool-aged children receiving cancer treatment were missing opportunities to develop important foundational skills for school. Attending playgroup offers your child opportunities to participate in developmentally appropriate activities under the guidance of our Early Childhood Teacher who is available to answer any questions you may have.

I have concerns or questions about infection risk

All families should discuss with their medical team whether the CCA Playgroup is right for their child. The CCA Playgroup is limited to children with cancer and their siblings, and only if they do not attend any other childcare or early learning settings. The playgroup environment is cleaned before each playgroup session. You are welcome to contact the Family Service Team if you have any further questions.

How do I RSVP for my weekly playgroup attendance?

All families who have registered for playgroup will receive a text message each Wednesday asking them to RSVP for the upcoming Friday session. This will occur for both in-person and online sessions. Your cooperation with this system is appreciated so that we are able to appropriately staff and resource the playgroup session. If we don’t receive any responses, the playgroup will not run.