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Every child is entitled to an early childhood education, regardless of ability.
Support is available for funded kindergartens to provide programs that respond to and are inclusive of individual abilities, interests and needs of all children. This includes children who:
- live with a disability
- are experiencing developmental delays
- have high support needs
- have complex medical needs
- are feeling anxious
- have difficulties concentrating
- are having challenges adjusting to kindergarten
- are experiencing vulnerability or trauma.
Support for children with additional needs
When you register for a kindergarten in our central registration scheme, you'll be asked about your child's needs. You'll need to provide supporting documentation from medical or healthcare professionals.
Having access to this information allows us (Council) to prioritise your registration when we allocate places at kindergartens that are part of our central registration scheme.
If you accept a place at one of the listed kinderartens, we will let the kindergarten know if your child needs additional support.
We recommend you talk to your child's educator before kindergarten begins as they may need more information to help them prepare appropriate supports for your child.
Preschool Field Officers support all children
The Preschool Field Officer (PSFO) Program provides free support, guidance and coaching to kindergarten teaching teams to enhance inclusive practices. A PSFO can support concerns associated with any area of a child’s development, which may include:
- coping with separation
- joining in large groups
- managing behaviour
- concentrating during learning
- adjusting to a new language or culture
- transitioning from kinder to school
- feeling confident in less familiar settings
- toileting, dressing, eating and sleeping
- talking, listening or following directions
- playing with others
- general social skills.
To speak to a Preschool Field Officer to learn more about the support they offer, email [email protected] or call (03) 9278 4014.
Kindergartens, families or other professionals can make a referral to the service using our Permission to consult a Preschool Field Officer form below.
Note: PSFOs require signed consent from a parent/guardian prior to providing individual observation or support for a child at kindergarten.
Permission to consult a Preschool Field Officer form
Kindergarten Inclusion Support
Kindergartens can apply for extra support to help them provide the right environment for children with additional needs.
The Kindergarten Inclusion Support (KIS) program enables kindergartens to respond to the individual abilities, interests and needs of children living with a disability, developmental delay or complex medical needs.
The KIS program includes:
- a specialist consultant to guide educators to modify their kindergarten program
- specialised training for the kindergarten team to meet the individual needs of a child living with a disability or complex medical needs
- minor building modifications such as ramps and grip rails to support a child to attend a service and participate in activities
- an additional assistant to help deliver a kindergarten program that is inclusive of all children
- a Specialist Equipment Program (SEP)
Note: Support from the KIS program is in addition to the existing resources available to the kindergarten. This support may not cover all costs.
Visit the Victorian Government's Kindergarten Inclusion Support page for more information about the KIS program for kindergartens.