What is the NDIS early childhood approach?
The NDIS early childhood approach gives children specialised early support. It connects families with information, supports and services to help children build skills for daily activities and take part at home and in the community.
Through the early childhood approach, families work with early childhood partners to get:
- early connections
- early supports.
Through these early connections and supports, the NDIS early childhood approach helps children make the best possible start in life.
Who is the NDIS early childhood approach for?
The NDIS early childhood approach is for your child if they are:
- under 9 years and have a disability
- under 6 years and have developmental delay.
This approach might also be for your child under 6 years if they don’t fully meet the NDIS definition of developmental delay but have developmental concerns.
You can read more about how to get NDIS support.
NDIS early connections
Early connections are a key part of the NDIS early childhood approach.
Early connections give you quick access to supports that help with your child’s development. Your child can get early connections regardless of whether they’re eligible for the NDIS.
Early connections might include:
- community activities like playgroups and parent support groups
- mainstream health services like a child and family health nurse or a community health centre
- mainstream education services like early childhood education centres or preschools
- practical information to help you understand your child’s development and their needs
- peer support from other families
- NDIS early supports.
Early connections might also include helping you apply to the NDIS for your child, if appropriate.
NDIS early supports
Early supports are a type of early connection.
Your child might get early supports if they’re younger than 6 and have developmental concerns. You child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get early supports, but they do need to be assessed for early supports.
Early supports help you and your child do things in your child’s everyday settings like home and school. They build your and your child’s skills and knowledge. They can also help other people who work with your child build skills and knowledge to help your child. These people might include educators in early childhood education and care services.
You and your child might get early supports individually or in group settings.
Early supports might include:
- parent workshops on aspects of your child’s development, like feeding or going to the toilet
- strategies to help your child build their skills to do everyday things – for example, visual supports to help your child communicate
- help to understand and feel confident about using strategies and skills to help your child
- help for you and mainstream services to prepare for changes in your child’s life, like starting preschool or school.
If your child gets early supports, the NDIA will give you an early supports plan. This will include your child’s goals and support needs, plus possible resources or strategies.
You might get early supports for only a short time or for as long as 12 months.
If your child is younger than 6 and there are delays in their development, you and your NDIS representative will talk about whether your child is likely to meet the NDIS criteria for developmental delay. If they do, your child might be eligible for the NDIS. Your NDIS representative can help you apply.