NDIS early childhood approach

NDIS early intervention for children under 9

The free early childhood approach program helps children with developmental concerns, delays or disability and their families to access the right support when they need it.

UnitingCare is an NDIS early childhood partner, delivering the early childhood approach in Townsville, Mackay, the Gold Coast and Toowoomba, as well as surrounding areas.

Our professional teams have the experience and clinical expertise to work with you to understand your child’s needs and recommend what early connections are best for them. It’s about giving children and their families support so children can have the best possible start to life.

How the early childhood approach can help

If you have concerns about your child’s development, UnitingCare’s early childhood approach team can connect you to the right supports. Children younger than 6 do not need a diagnosis to get support through the early childhood approach.

Concerns about your child’s development might include how, in comparison with other children their age, they:

• Play and move around.
• Do things to take care of themselves.
• Socialise with other children.
• Communicate what they want.

Talking to a professional who knows your child best is a good place to start. This could be your child’s doctor, early childhood educator or child health nurse. After talking with your child’s health or education professional, our UnitingCare early childhood approach team can help connect you and your child to the right supports.

Early connections to support your child

Early connections will make sure you get the right early intervention support services for your child’s individual needs. UnitingCare’s early childhood approach team will talk with you about the different ways you and your child can receive supports. This might include:

• Connections with mainstream and community services, such as early childhood educational services, schools, health services or family support services.
• Connections to practical information relevant to your child’s development.
• Connections with other families.
• Connections with early supports, such as early childhood keyworkers or allied health therapists who can visit the home or early learning environment to teach strategies to parents or caregivers.
• Connections to apply to the NDIS.

Early supports work to build you and your child’s capacity to promote everyday learning in your home and other community environments. UnitingCare’s early childhood approach team may recommend early supports if your child is younger than 6 and has developmental concerns.