Creating a nurturing, home-like environment for at risk children.

Our Program

Mimi’s House is an innovative early intervention program that partners with primary schools to support the social, emotional and physical development of children from prep to grade 5.

It does this by creating a nurturing, home-like environment for children at risk of disengaging from learning.

We have two sites in South East Queensland. One in the city of Logan and one in Moreton Bay.

Early Intervention

Mimi’s House is a one-year program where children attend on the same day every week for the duration of the school year. The program uses a child centred approach to empower and equip children to achieve greater success at school and in their personal lives. Mimi’s House provides a supportive safe and non-judgemental environment in which children can work through their problems, learn to thrive, build confidence and develop teamwork and resilience.

Children are taught practical skills across a number of domains such as self-care, hygiene, cooking, craft and other artistic endeavours. Children engage in term-based projects that often involve group work which creates an opportunity for them to learn to follow through with tasks and experience a sense of completion.

Mentoring

All of our mentors are screened and trained community volunteers. Mentors consistently meet with a child fortnightly building strong, positive relationships. The mentors reinforce skills and values learnt in the initial first year nurturing program while further developing those that still need work. Mentoring extends the impact of the Mimi’s House program which leads to better long term outcomes for our children.

Family Support

Our family liaison develops positive relationships with the families of children who attend the program offering support and mentoring. Families are offered assistance and referred to relevant support  agencies when suitable.

Travis’ story

“They help me go through hard times.”

Program Outcomes

  • Respect themselves and others

  • Regulate their emotions

  • Engage in teamwork

  • Maintain self-control

  • Establish positive friendships

  • Communicate with others

  • Establish personal hygiene and self-care routines

  • Develop basic cooking skills

Who can benefit from Mimi’s House?

Mimi’s House has been designed for children who need additional support to manage their behaviour and emotions. This includes students who struggle to manage anger and who have a history of detentions or suspensions.

Children who would benefit from Mimi’s House include those who:

  • Are restless, pre-occupied or have an inability to focus on or perform simple tasks as required by their classroom teacher;

  • Anger easily and act out;

  • Are unable to regulate their emotions;

  • Are quiet and lack confidence

  • Withdraw from social situations;

  • Are anxious;

  • Experience difficulty in making and sustaining friendships.

Katie’s story

Even if I'm scared, most situations I will come out of fine.”

A day at Mimi’s House

1

Pick up from school

2

Arrive at Mimi’s.
Greeting time.

3

Boot Camp

4

Fresh fruit break

5

Lesson

6

Minute to Win it Challenge

7

Book work

8

Play time

9

11

12

13

14

Lunch preparation

10

Lunch

Story Time

Quiet Relaxation

Project Based Learning

Play Time

15

Wrap up, Clean up,
Skill review

16

Travel by bus back to school