Early Childhood Disability Services
Connect offers a suite of early childhood intervention programs to children 0-12 years with disabilities and their families. The suite includes:
Connect Child and Family Services is an NDIS registered provider. We provide a Trans-disciplinary Family Centred approach to supporting children who are experiencing developmental difficulties due to a delay or diagno
sed disability. Our team includes Occupational Therapy , Speech Pathology and early childhood Teachers as Key workers
We will meet with the family to determine the best approach to assist the child to develop skills and support the family, educational setting and the community to develop their capacity to enable the child to fully participate in everyday activities
Support can be provided at home, at school or preschool settings or in the community. Home Visits
Home-visiting involves a team member visiting families at home to support the child in their most natural setting. It provides an opportunity for families to talk about goals for their children and to develop strategies to assist their children's development and participation in everyday family routines These strategies include role modelling play, task analysis to break down tasks into steps, using visual communication, understanding and supporting emotional regulation, supporting keen observations and discussions. The focus is usually on play, social skills, communication, sensory and motor skills. Each visit can last for up to an hour. The home visitor can also assist parents with accessing other community support services. Early Learning Program
The Early Learning Program offers a specialised preschool class that prepares children for integration into other early childhood services or schools. Activities and experiences are planned in response to the children's needs and goals for their development. These goals are arrived at via a collaborative process focusing on family concerns and priorities and involving discussion between parents, staff and other involved services. Emphasis is on building the skills necessary for a smooth transition to preschool or day-care. The focus is on communication skills, social and self-help skills and developing confidence and familiarity with regular preschool routines, using the supportive and often less threatening environment of a small group. Sector Capacity Building
SCB offers professional advice and support to staff working with children with disabilities in nominated preschools across the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury
Support can include:
Identifying the child's needs, strengths and interests in the setting
Supporting preschool staff to embed a child's therapy program into the centre's curriculum
Staff training and mentoring focusing on communication systems, fostering social skills and addressing sensory processing skills
Modelling positive behaviour management strategies
Securing additional funding to enhance the child to staff ratio of the centre
Access to professional development
Access to Resources
Access to equipment through the Toy Library
Facilitating the smooth transition to school
Supporting access to the Early Childhood Early Intervention( ECEI) pathway for early support and access to NDIS if required
My Time
My Time' group for parents with children with a disability/chronic illness (in partnership with Playgroup NSW , Learning Links and the Parenting Research Centre Vic).
