Frequently Asked Questions
Who can enrol a Young Person in the Little Stars Learners program?
We accept applications from the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs, Foster Agencies and Residential Care Facilities.
Organisations may apply for a child to join the Little Stars Learners Program if the criteria for lodging an expression of interest are met.
Foster Carers can approach their CSO or Foster Agency to enquire as to whether funding might be available. If funding is not available through any of these sources, foster carers may apply for a Little Stars Learners Scholarship.
What age group is best suited to the Little Stars Learners Program?
Research shows that early intervention provides the best outcomes for education for children in care. The further behind they are by grade 3, the bigger the gap and that becomes harder to bridge as young people move through school.
Therefore, the focus of the Little Stars Learners Program is Prep to Grade 6. However, our Program also provides trauma-informed academic tutoring for high school students.
Are applications for the 2023 program still open?
Applications for the 2023 program are now OPEN and close on Friday 14th October 2022.
How long is the program?
In order to deliver optimal outcomes, we recommend that children remain in the program for at least 12 months. While it is ideal that this coincides with the start of the academic year, the program can be started at any time.
How is the program funded?
Carers may be able to enrol a child in their care if they are able to access funding for the purposes of the program through a Complex Support Needs Allowance or by requesting that the CYJMA or their Foster Agency covers the costs of the program. Prior to completing an Application carers should approach their CSO or their agency to request funding approval.
If none of these avenues for funding is available, foster carers may apply for a child to join the program through a Little Stars Learners Scholarship. However, we only have limited scholarships available so we recommend that other avenues for funding are exhausted prior to applying for a Little Stars Learners Scholarship.
What is a Little Stars Learners Scholarship?
Little Stars Kids is able to provide a limited number of Learning Scholarships to children who are unable to secure alternate funding.
The cost of the program is fully funded through the support of our generous donors and sponsors. For more information, please email info@littlestarskids.org.au.
What tutoring frequency is best for kids in primary school?
We recommend one hour of face to face tutoring a week, over a 12-month period for children in primary school. This consistency of support and encouragement over time can build confidence, engagement, self-esteem and deliver optimum outcomes for the children without overwhelming them.
Is tutoring available for high school students?
Yes. Our program is primarily targeted at primary school aged kids as we know that early intervention makes the biggest difference. However, we recognise that children in high school will also benefit from trauma informed tutoring.
We recommend children in secondary school undertake a 1.5-hour tutoring session once per week in Grade 7-9, and a 2-hour tutoring session once per week in Grade 10-12.
Do Foster Carers, Foster Agencies and Case Service Officers receive regular progress reports?
Yes. When a child is enrolled in the Little Stars Learners Program, the foster carer, the child’s Child Safety Officer and the Foster Agency will receive detailed weekly session summaries by email each week. You can see an example of this session summary in our Little Stars Information Pack.
How do tutors work with the child’s teachers?
We provide detailed information in weekly session summaries regarding the challenges children are experiencing with their learning, the work they are completing, areas for improvement, their ability to self-regulate and their confidence and engagement levels on a real time basis. These reports can be shared by the carer, CSO or foster agency with the young person’s teacher to improve educational outcomes.
Can the session summaries be shared with Psychologists and other therapists?
Our tutors are trained to assist the children to improve and manage their emotional regulation skills. The weekly session summaries detail on a real time basis the progress children are making in this area. Psychologists and other therapists can be added to the email distribution list if appropriate, so they are automatically updated.
Will the child have the same tutor for each session?
We make every endeavour to ensure the child has the same tutor for the 12 month program.
How do you match tutors and kids?
Once enrolled in the program, we will ask questions and conduct assessments to identify the best tutor for each child. We give consideration to the complex needs of the young person and any particular learning styles or challenges, to select the right tutor. We partner with expert tutoring agencies to create good matches.
What happens if the young person and tutor don’t work well together?
We consistently review the progress of the young people who are engaged in the program and check in with carers to ensure there is a good match between the child and the tutor. In the rare occasions this doesn’t work, we will rematch the child with another tutor.
Do all tutors hold valid and current Blue Cards?
Yes. All tutors have completed the relevant Queensland Working with Children checks and hold valid and current Blue Cards.
How are the tutors trained?
Our tutors are all experienced university students or graduates. Many of them have an educational background and an interest in working with children who have experienced trauma.
All tutors undergo comprehensive training. They learn about child protection, the impact of trauma on the cognitive, emotional, and social functioning of children and how to practically work with neuro divergent learners.
They receive regular updates on the theory and practical tips on working with children in trauma, plus have the support of our psychologist if issues arise and they need guidance on how to work with a particular child.
Do I need to have somebody supervising the session?
Yes. The carer needs to sign an agreement upfront committing to having someone available to supervise the session. That person can be carer, another responsible adult or youth worker.
How can I apply to become a tutor?
Apply to become a Little Stars Learners Tutor by completing the online application here. We’re searching for enthusiastic individuals to provide one-on-one academic tutoring to primary and secondary aged school students. Second-year university students and above preferable. Must be double vaccinated. Valid Blue Card required.
Do you service all areas of Queensland?
The areas we can service with in-person sessions are the Brisbane region and Gold Coast. We can offer online learning in more remote areas including Ipswich, Beaudesert and outlying areas.
