Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)
What is Early Childhood Intervention?
The first few years of life for a family with a child who has developmental delay or disability can be challenging. It is a time when parents and care-givers discover new strengths and abilities to make a lasting, positive impact on their family and child's lifelong development.
We believe it is essential in these early years, that families get support to learn about and access the services, resources and information available to them. It's essential that children who have a developmental delay or disability receive support to discover their own abilities as young as possible, while they are learning to move, to explore their surroundings, and to relate and communicate with others.
Yooralla's team of Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech Pathologists, Specialist Kindergarten Teachers, Assistants and, sometimes, Psychologists, work together with each family and their child. We believe learning should be fun, full of imagination and excitement and we never forget that your family and your child are unique.
Yooralla's Early Childhood Intervention Services offer a variety of centre-based, home-based or community-based programs that incorporate play, education and therapy for children with additional needs as well as information and support to family members. These include:
- playgroups for children aged from birth to three years
- three and four year old play-based specialist groups
- home visiting
- therapy / teacher support to children who attend childcare and local preschool services in their community
- inclusion groups for three and four year olds that are designed to include children with additional needs
- preschool inclusion support
- Family Networks groups
- Family Networks groups are parent support groups facilitated by professionals and/or parent leaders. The groups aim to:
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- bring parent's together; parents realise that they are not alone or isolated in their communities
- enhance parent's knowledge of community resources
- stimulate parent's confidence in their ability to take control of their lives
- provide practical information and resources
- The program recognises how difficult it can be for a parent of a child with a developmental delay or disability. The groups are delivered in a way which assists a family's growth and confidence. Parents leave the program feeling more in control of their situations.
- Siblings Groups or "Sibshops"
- Sibshops are a support program for brothers and sisters of children with special needs. The chance to meet other brothers and sisters in a casual atmosphere and join them in recreational activities has several benefits for participants. First, it can help reduce a sibling's sense of isolation. Participants quickly learn that there are others who experience the special joys and challenges that they do. Second, the casual atmosphere and recreational activities promote informal sharing and friendships among participants. Friendships begun during and continued outside of the program offer siblings ongoing sources of support. Third, the recreational aspect of the program (games, cooking and discussion) makes them enjoyable to attend.
- Sibshops are not therapy, group or otherwise, although their effect may be therapeutic for some children. Sibshops acknowledge that most brothers and sisters of people with special needs, like their parents, are doing well, despite the challenges of a disability, however , Sibshop facilitators always keep an eye open for participants who may need additional services.
- Parent-Child Mother Goose Programs
- The Parent-Child Mother Goose Program is a group experience for parents/caregivers and their babies and young children, focusing on the pleasure and power of using oral rhymes, songs and stories together. The goals of the program include strengthening the parent-child bond and building a supportive group where isolated parents can feel comfortable. One of the most significant goals is helping families who might not naturally provide their babies and young children with consistent and enjoyable language experiences to become familiar with the wide range of materials and activities that make up oral literacy, and to make them part of their daily lives together.
Eligibility
Families that have a child with delays in two or more of the following developmental areas are eligible to receive support through Yooralla's Early Childhood Intervention programs:
- physical
- language
- communication
- behaviour
- social-emotional skills
- cognitive thought
- play
We aim to provide the best possible support for the development of children with disabilities from birth through to six years of age.
Referral and application
Anyone can refer your child to one of Yooralla's Early Childhood Intervention centres, including yourself. A referral can also be made via your Doctor, Paediatrician, Maternal and Child Health Nurse or other professional. Any queries can be directed to one of the Centres or to the Early Childhood Intervention Manager. Feel free to drop in and visit any of the Centres.
Fees
Fees vary between different Early Childhood Intervention programs. Please contact individual programs for details of their current fee schedule. Fees are charged per school term, however, we acknowledge that some families struggle financially, and are always happy to negotiate alternative fee payment arrangements with carers.
Contact ECI
If you would like more information on Yooralla's Early Childhood Intervention Services, please contact the service in your area.
Eastern
- Blackburn Early Childhood Intervention Service
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20 Neil Court
South Blackburn, Victoria 3130 - Tel: (03) 9808 6833
- Fax: (03) 9888 9396
- Email: blackburns@yooralla.com.au
- The Patch Preschool and Early Childhood Intervention Services
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Kallista-Emerald Road
The Patch, Victoria 3792 - Tel: (03) 9756 7853
- Fax: (03) 9752 1835
- Email: the.patch@yooralla.com.au
Western
- Western Early Childhood Intervention Services and Altona North Kindergarten
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30 Ronald Avenue
Altona North Victoria 3025 - Tel: (03) 9932 2162
- Fax: (03) 9932 2161
- Email: ank@yooralla.com.au
Southern
- Narre Warren Central Children's Centre
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4 Malcolm Court
Narre Warren Victoria 3805 - Tel: (03) 9704 6757
- Fax: (03) 9704 6757
- Email: narrewarren@yooralla.com.au
- Tarlina Early Childhood Centre and Mossgiel Park Family and Children's Centre
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c/-19 Oban Close
Endeavour Hills Victoria 3802 - Tel: (03) 9700 5997
- Fax: (03) 9700 6611
- Email: tarlina@yooralla.com.au
- Cardinia/Pakenham Early Childhood Intervention Service
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C/- The Homegarth Community Centre
P.O.Box 345
Pakenham, Victoria 3810 - Tel: (03) 59 416 580
- Fax: (03) 59 416 580
- Email: pakenham@yooralla.com.au
- Heatherton Early Childhood Intervention Service
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68 Kingston Road
Heatherton 3202 - Tel/Fax: 9551 7960
- Email: heatherton@yooralla.com.au
- Preschool Inclusion Support Program
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C/- 4 Malcolm Court
Narre Warren Victoria 3805 - Tel: 8790 1220
- Fax: 8790 1535
- Email: psisp@yooralla.com.au
Northern
- Glenroy Early Childhood Intervention Service
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48-50 Box Forest Road
Glenroy Victoria 3046 - Tel: (03) 9359 9366 or 9359 9208
- Fax: (03) 9357 1940
- Email: glenroy@yooralla.com.au
- Early Childhood Autism Service - North (E.C.A.S-N)
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48-50 Box Forest Road
Glenroy Victoria 3046 - Tel: (03) 9359 9366
- Fax: (03) 9357 1940
- Email: glenroy.autism@yooralla.com.au