The Better Beginnings program provides every baby in Western Australia with a free reading pack.
Your reading pack includes:
- A board book (this is a gift from your local council)
- A nursery rhyme poster
- A booklet with tips for reading with your baby, includes a book list for babies and toddlers filled with great books to find at your local library.
- Nursery Rhymes for Every Day booklet and CD
- A yellow library bag.
Your Community Child Health Nurse can supply you with a reading pack when you visit your local Child Health Clinic with your baby for their eight week health check. You can search for your closest Maternal, Child & Family Health Centre here.
You can also go directly to your local library and ask for a Better Beginnings birth pack for your baby. You can search for your nearest library using our Library Finder.
You can take out a membership for you and your baby.
In addition to your free reading packs your local public library may also have Discovery Backpacks for you to borrow. Discovery Backpacks are a free resource for all Western Australian families. Each backpack contains a number of resources including books and complimentary early learning activities to encourage parents and caregivers to Read, Talk, Sing, Write and Play with their child every day.
For families with a vision-impaired family member, our Baby pack is available with a Braille version of the book Baby Ways. In addition, Baby Ways Touch and Feel Kits have been developed and aim to provide a tactile book sharing experience. Check with your local library for availability.
