Goodstart Early Learning to expand EChO network to support more children

Goodstart Early Learning, Australia’s largest early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider has announced that it will provide support services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and child and family practitioner support to more of its centres using  National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding. 

• connect parents to early childhood intervention service providers;
• share practical information about child development;
• use provider expertise to understand the differences in learning and development that children might experience;
• identify if children are likely to benefit from early support;
• support families to apply to the NDIS by providing information and evidence for their application; and,
• monitor children’s progress and support them to transition from the Early Childhood Approach.

• Accessibility and convenience. Days are not disrupted by running to and from appointments in other locations. Traditionally, waitlists for specialists are long, and appointments difficult to get to.

• Secure and comforting environments. Families and children are in environments they are familiar with and trust. The service takes a lot of stress out of trying to navigate a complex system.

• Teachers and educators who are better equipped to support both parents and children. Educators have the opportunity to see how children are progressing day-by-day, and can make changes to strategies to ensure they are effective.

• Involved early learning professionals on a daily basis. They can help complete observations and assessments, and organise and report on the child’s plan and agreement.

• One-on-one and group therapy sessions where the child is already happy and comfortable.