EARLY CHILDHOOD

The NSW Council for Intellectual Disability has compiled factsheets for the various life stages around people with intellectual disability. The link below takes you to a factsheet for Diagnosis and Assessment of disability. Included is a list of early intervention services sorted by region.

DADHC is the place to contact first when you need information on early childhood services, or a referral to those services.
Contact (02) 9841 9350

If your child with additional needs is about to be enrolled in a preschool, occassional care or day care centre, you can apply through the centre for funding support. The Department of Community Services has set up a scheme (SCAN) which assists children with additional needs to have equal access and be fully included in the centre’s program.
Funding is available to help preschools and childcare services support children with additional needs. Funding may be used to provide specialist training for staff, employ a support worker, improve resources, or buy equipment or books that are suitable for children
with additional needs.
Contact the Child Care & Family Info Line on (02) 8594 4244
or 1800 803 820.

Support for families who have a child with delay in development or a disability.The Early Childhood Intervention Coordination Program (ECICP) is an interdepartmental project to coordinate early childhood intervention services for children with a disability or developmental delay and their families.

Open Playgroup to encourage early language and social development of children with special needs, provide support for parents and carers, direct contact with trained therapists for information, strategies and support.

Lifestart Nepean: 8-10 Carinya Rd, St Marys
Tuesdays 10am - 12 noon. Contact (02) 9623 2100

Hawkesbury My Time: HECIS building - 12 Stewart St, Sth Windsor
Wednesdays 10am - 12 noon. Contact (02) 9623 2100

Playgroups do not run during school holidays
No cost to attend. Gold coin donation is appreciated

ECIA is an organisation of professionals and parents involved in promoting the interests of young children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families

For families of children with additional needs
Bungarrabee Centre, 48-50 Oaklands Rd, Hazelbrook
Fridays 9.30-11.30am
Free
Contact Ruby at Connect on 4758 9966

A regular workshop for parents of children 0-5 yrs covering a range of topics related to parenting a child with a disability. $2 donation is appreciated
Childcare provided, bookings essential. Please phone (02) 9623 2100.

Contact on (02) 4758 9966 Services provided:
Early Learning Programs for children with disabilities
Home Visiting
Screening and Assessment
Supported Playgroups
Transition to School Programs
Parent & Educator Resource Library
Possum Community Toy Library
Volunteer Scheme
Consultancy & Professional Development Services

Provides early intervention and family support through supported playgroups and home visits for families who have a child 0- school age with a disability or developmental delay and live in Penrith LGA
Play Programs at Surveyors Creek Community Centre, Glenmore Park and Kingswood Neighbourhood Centre, Kingswood
Glenmore Park, Wednesday 9.30- 12.00
Kingswood, Thursday 9.30-12.00
Gold Coin Donation
Contact Bernadette Mitchell 042-838-0031

My Time, in conjunction with Tresillian, now run a supported play group for parents of young children with a disability or chronic illness. The play group runs every Thursday during school term at St. Andrews Uniting Church in Glenbrook, from 10am-12pm. For more info and to register contact:-
Ann De-Belin 9787 0864
Anne Kulscar 9787 0869
Angela Drummond 4734 2124
or click on the link below to register online.

A selection of honest and revealing insights by parents who have a child with a disability. Parents share their experience of key times in their child's first five years and offer a range of useful tips to other parents

The homepage of this website has a life-events timeline with links to support and info that may be helpful at various points of your child's development, from diagnosis, through early childhood and adolescence to leaving school and so on.

Designed specifically for families who have a child with a disability, this resource enables you to develop a ‘one-stop shop’ document about your child that brings together information about support needs, disability, likes, dislikes, strengths, family, friends, behaviour support needs, medical/health needs and communication style to name a few!
This resource will save you time and emotional energy, it will enable you to stop repeating your child’s information over and over, it will help you to provide others with a positive introduction to your child, and assist them to be consistent in their support of your child.
The cost of the resource is a once off fee of $50.00 (incl. GST) for up to 2 children.
(08) 8277 3300 or info@aboutme.org.au

A resource outlining the guidelines and procedures of the Department of Education and Training for the transition of young children with disabilities or significant difficulties in learning or behaviour, from early childhood settings to school

Lapstone Early Learners
Early Development Program
Early Childhood Screening Service
Early Childhood Assessment and Referral Service
Hawkesbury SUPS program
Integration Support Program
Early Childhood Advisory Service

A manual for parents of children between 0-12, especially if they are sensitive or have a chronic physical, medical or emotional condition.
Contact (03) 9584 5150.

Ph: (02) 9623 2100