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.
Toowoomba
UnitingCare Toowoomba NDIS Early Childhood Partner
61 Bellevue Street
Toowoomba City
Servicing: Toowoomba, Goondiwindi, Maranoa, Southern Downs, Western Downs Regions
Opening hours: 8.30am-4.30pm, Monday to Friday
Townsville
UnitingCare Townsville NDIS Early Childhood Partner
252 Ross River Road
Aitkenvale, Qld, 4814
Servicing: Charters Towers, Burdekin, Hinchinbrook, Townsville Regions
Opening hours: 8.30am-4.30pm, Monday to Friday
Gold Coast
UnitingCare Robina NDIS Early Childhood Partner
Suite 3A, Level 3, 3027 The Boulevard
Carrara QLD 4211
Servicing: Gold Coast City Region
Opening hours: 8.30am-4.30pm, Monday to Friday
Mackay
UnitingCare Mackay NDIS Early Childhood Partner
135 Nebo Road
West Mackay, QLD 4740
Servicing: Mackay, Whitsunday & Isaac Regions
Opening hours: 8.30am-4.30pm, Monday to Friday
Please note: UnitingCare does not provide NDIS-funded services to children under 9 in these service areas.
Early childhood approach eligibility
Early connections through UnitingCare’s early childhood approach are available in the Townsville, Mackay, Gold Coast and Toowoomba regions, to support children younger than 9 and their families who have developmental concerns, delays or a diagnosed disability.
Support with applying to the NDIA requires meeting further eligibility requirements, including:
- Children under 6 with significant developmental delay (formal diagnosis not required).
- Children under 9 with a diagnosed disability.
Enquire now
Find out more about how we can support you, complete the form below or call us on 1800 543 354.
![Delivering the NDIS in your community](https://cdn-ucq.dataweavers.io/-/media/project/ucq/public/unitingcareqld/images/ndis-uc-small.jpg)