The early childhood approach can help you to get information and access to supports if you have concerns about your child’s development. The early childhood approach aims to help your child join in daily activities and participate in your community. Our specialist team will also let you know about other services in your community that may be able to support you.
Accessing our services
The early childhood approach supports children younger than 9 with developmental concerns, developmental delay or disability in the North-East Melbourne, Hume Merri-bek, Western Melbourne, Brimbank Melton and Bayside Peninsula areas.
Our early childhood team
Our Early Childhood team have a detailed understanding of children’s development. Our team will work together with your family to develop strategies that support your child’s development, wellbeing and inclusion.
We will:
- Have a conversation with you to understand what would support your child and family.
- Provide supports that may include:
- Early Supports if your child is younger than 6 and you would like support with your child’s development, want to enhance family wellbeing and community inclusion. Our team can work with you to support the priorities you have for your child and family in everyday activities.
- Sharing information to help you understand more about your child’s development.
- Connecting you to services and activities in your community such as playgroups, health services, childcare.
- Support to apply for NDIS access if applicable.
Early Childhood Referral
Before you complete the Early Childhood referral form, please take note of the following
- By completing this referral form, you are agreeing to the child’s details being collected and added to our business system.
- In most cases, this form must be signed by the child’s parent or legal guardian, or another person with parental responsibility, to confirm consent for the referral.
- We understand that in some situations, a signature from a parent or legal guardian may not be immediately possible. If this applies, please provide as much information as you can about the child’s circumstances when submitting the referral. Our team will contact you to discuss the next steps.
- The form can be signed electronically or in writing. We are unable to accept initials or typed names as a signature.
- If available, please include copies of:
- any relevant diagnoses or assessments, and
- any court, custody, or guardianship orders currently in place.
Early Supports
What are Early Supports?
Early Supports build on your knowledge and skills, so you have the strategies and confidence to help your child participate in the things they and your family do every day.
Who are Early Supports for?
Early supports are for families with children younger than 6 years of age who would like support with their child’s development.
Your Early Childhood Coordinator will:
- work with you to develop and put in place strategies to help you and your family progress towards your goals.
- work with you and any other important people in your child’s life.
- work in places appropriate to your family and your goals such as your home, a community space, or your child’s early childhood educational setting.
- individualise the sessions to your family’s needs.
What families are saying
“My husband and I have found the Early Supports program really helping in having us consider how we can best support our toddler with a range of areas of development.
It is a delight to have our Coordinator with us and develop our own skills and knowledge to continue to support our son as he grows. Rather than telling us what to do, he poses questions which allows us to think outside of the box and come up with our own solutions. We have already seen growth in our son’s ability to communicate and we are more in tune with his triggers so that we can be proactive rather than reactive. “
“I would strongly recommend this service to any family who required additional support with their little ones.”
Learn more about Early Supports
Learn more about how the early childhood approach can help your child
Connect with our team
- Phone: 1300 275 634
- Email: bsl.customerservice@ndis.gov.au
- View our office locations