Early childhood approach

FOI 24/25-2169

DOCUMENT 32

This booklet covers:

the NDIS early childhood approach
early childhood partners
setting goals for your child
getting supports and services for your child.

FOI 24/25-2169

Welcome

This booklet will help you understand the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) early childhood approach. We want you to feel supported and informed as we begin this journey together. You can work through this booklet with your early childhood partner and take it to additional meetings with others who support you.

Our early childhood approach is how early childhood partners support children younger than 9 and their families.

FOI 24/25-2169

The NDIS

The NDIS is a national scheme that helps people with disability. This includes helping children with developmental concerns, developmental delay or disability through our early childhood approach.

The NDIS focuses on early childhood supports provided as early as possible to reduce the impacts of disability or developmental delay, and to build a child’s skills and independence.

More information about the NDIS is available on the NDIS website at ndis.gov.au.

The NDIS early childhood approach

The nationally consistent early childhood approach is how we support children younger than 6 with a developmental delay and children younger than 9 with a disability and their families to access the right support when they need it.

A disability is a lifelong physical, sensory, cognitive or psychosocial impairment that significantly affects the individual’s ability to participate in everyday activities.

A developmental delay is when a child younger than 6 is not meeting the developmental levels expected for their age and has a significant effect on their ability to perform daily routines and activities.

Developmental concerns mean that there are delays in your child’s development that don’t fully meet the NDIA’s definition of developmental delay. These delays may impact the everyday activities your child can do when compared with children of the same age. Children with developmental concerns will also be supported through the early childhood approach.

The NDIA worked with a range of leading Australian early childhood intervention practitioners and researchers to design the early childhood approach. The approach has been designed to identify the type and level of support a child needs to achieve their best outcome. A child’s early years are very important as they set up how they will learn and develop later in life. The approach supports best practice in early childhood intervention because it helps the child and family build their capacity and supports greater inclusion in community and everyday settings.

This means each child will be provided with opportunities to grow and learn. The aim of early intervention is to reduce the impact of a person’s disability or developmental delay on their daily life by providing support as early as possible.

If your child’s development improves, they may no longer need support from the NDIS.

The family-centred, early childhood approach is delivered by the NDIS early childhood partner in your local community.

FOI 24/25-2169

Does my child need a diagnosis to get support?

A diagnosis is not required for children younger than 6. This is because diagnosis for children can be complex and often requires time for observation and greater understanding of the impact the disability or developmental delay can have on the child’s growth and development.

The early childhood approach

This diagram illustrates the early childhood approach. The child and family are in the centre and supported by a range of supports which may include community supports, education and health services and their family and friends.

Family and friends
Education: Pre-school, childcare
Community: Playgroup, reading time, toy library
Health: Hospital, child health, community health
NDIS early childhood approach

FOI 24/25-2169

Early childhood partners

When you seek NDIS support, your child will be connected with an early childhood partner appointed by the NDIA to deliver the early childhood approach. An early childhood partner will work with you to understand the needs of your child and your family, and help you connect to the right supports. This is called early connections and can help you support your child’s development regardless of whether they are eligible for the NDIS. You can find your local early childhood partner at ndis.gov.au.

How will the early childhood partner work with us?

Your early childhood partner can meet you and your child at your home, office, a community location or at the early childhood partner’s office. It’s your choice. First, they will listen to your main concerns and the reasons you are seeking support.

Main concerns

Tell us your main concerns and the reasons you are seeking support. For example, sleep, toileting, behaviour, school transition, etc.

FOI 24/25-2169

You can get early connections through your early childhood partner. This may include any combination of connections to:

community and other government services
practical information that’s relevant to your child’s development
other families
early supports to promote everyday learning in your home and other community environments
help applying for the NDIS if your child is eligible.

Your early childhood partner will work with you to understand what is going well and where your child may need further help.

They will collect this information by:

using the PEDI-CAT—a questionnaire you will be asked to complete about your child’s development
observing your child playing, moving around and interacting with others
talking to you about your family routines, the things your child enjoys and the things your family does together
using other assessment tools, if required.

An early childhood partner may recommend early supports if your child is younger than 6 and has developmental concerns.

Assessment tools are resources that guide our understanding of how a child is functioning.

People in my child’s life

It is helpful for your early childhood partner to get a picture of the people and services in your child’s life. A diagram or list may help your early childhood partner understand who the people are and how they fit together. It is handy to keep a copy with you and share it with other people who support you.

FOI 24/25-2169

Questions about your child’s goals

Goals are things you want your child to pursue with support from the NDIS and other supports and services. These goals might include things like interacting with other children or getting dressed by themselves.

Your goals may focus on:

the things you would like your child to be able to do
the interactions you would like them to have
the activities you would like them to be involved in.

What does my child do now? What does my child like to do?

What supports are already in place? Are they working well?

FOI 24/25-2169

What activities does my child need help with?

What are the priorities for my child?

FOI 24/25-2169

Getting supports and services for your child

Your early childhood partner will help you find and connect to the services and supports you need for your child. Supports for your child are designed to help them pursue their goals. Any of the early intervention supports offered should work with your other informal, community and other government services to build your child’s opportunities for inclusion and participation in everyday life. Your early childhood partner will also provide information about the different support opportunities and services available. These include connections to other government and community services:

Health services

Doctors
Paediatricians
Community health nurses
Child health nurses
Community health allied health services
Vision and hearing assessment services
Dietitians
Dental service.

Early childhood education and care services

Preschool and kindergarten services
Childcare services
Family day care
Long day care
Occasional care.

Education services

State-funded primary schools
Independent schools
Special education options in some areas.

Community supports

Local playgroups
Library activities
Community groups
Sporting, drama, music and dance activities
Parenting programs
Parent support groups
Family support services
Parent counselling services
Specialist disability support services.

FOI 24/25-2169

Connections to information

Depending on your child’s individual support needs, your early childhood partner can give you practical information that’s relevant to your situation. This may include practical advice on typical child development topics, and helpful strategies you can include in your child’s daily routine.

Connections to other families

Early childhood partners will connect you to local support networks and services so you can meet other people with similar experiences or situations. These parent-to-parent and community-based support systems can build your knowledge through shared experiences and help you navigate the road ahead. They can give you the opportunity to talk about your family’s experiences, and celebrate your child’s uniqueness. It’s a good way to build community with other families.

Some of the supports offered by early childhood partners may be in group situations such as information sessions and parent workshops.

Connections to early supports

Your early childhood partner may provide some early supports to help your child make progress towards pursuing their goals. These supports can be given in your home, community spaces or early childhood education and care service, to ensure you and your child feel comfortable and get the most benefit from the support.

Help to apply to the NDIS

Your early childhood partner can support you to put together information and evidence to work out if your child is eligible to apply for the NDIS. If your child transitions from early connections to become an NDIS participant, then your early childhood partner will develop your child’s NDIS plan with you.

FOI 24/25-2169

We have agreed on the following steps

The early childhood partner will follow up:

The family will follow up:

FOI 24/25-2169

Helpful websites

The following websites can provide you with further information on early childhood intervention:

NDIS - Visit ndis.gov.au for more information about the NDIS early childhood approach and early childhood partners.
Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) - CYDA is the national peak body representing children and young people (aged 0-25) with disability and their families. Visit cyda.org.au for more information.
Early Childhood Australia (ECA) - ECA acts in the interests of young children, their families and those in the early childhood education and care field. Visit earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au for more information.
Reimagine Australia - promotes the interests of young children with developmental delay/disability and their families. Visit reimagine.com.au for more information.
The Raising Children Network - offers up-to-date, research-based information on a wide range of topics, including child development, behaviour, health, nutrition, play and learning, sleep and safety. Visit raisingchildren.net.au for more information.
Association for Children with a Disability - run by parents, the Association for Children with a Disability provides information, support and advocacy for families who have a child or young adult under the age of 18 with any type of disability or developmental delay. Visit acd.org.au for more information.
Carers Australia - provides information about unpaid care and support to family members and friends of people who have a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, an alcohol or other drug issue, or who are frail and aged. Visit carersaustralia.com.au for more information.

FOI 24/25-2169

Your early childhood partner details:

For more information

If you have any concerns about your child’s development, talking to a professional who knows your child best is a good place to start.

If you live in an area with no early childhood partner, you can contact the NDIS online at ndis.gov.au/contact or call 1800 800 110.

Your early childhood partner’s contact details

12 FOI 24/25-2169

Notes

Page 750 of 908

Notes

FOI 24/25-2169

Page 751 of 908

Reset

FOI 24/25-2169

DA0404 Early Childhood Approach — JULY 2023

ndis.gov.au

National Disability Insurance Agency

Telephone 1800 800 110
Webchat ndis.gov.au

Follow us on our social channels

For people who need help with English

TIS: 131 450

For people who are deaf or hard of hearing

TTY: 1800 555 677
Voice relay: 1800 555 727
National Relay Service: relayservice.gov.au

Order this booklet using code DA0404 by telephone or webchat.