The early childhood approach for children younger than 9

About the early childhood approach 

The age range is changing for the NDIS early childhood approach.

From 1 July 2023, the early childhood approach changed to include children younger than 9.

This change is being rolled out over the next 2 years.

Our early childhood approach is how we support children younger than 9 and their families.

The early childhood approach helps children younger than 6 with developmental delay or children younger than 9 with disability and their families to access the right support when they need it.

Children younger than 6 do not need a diagnosis to get support through the early childhood approach where there are concerns about their development.

The early childhood approach was developed based on evidence- based research with the help of leading experts in early childhood intervention.

The approach supports best practice in early childhood intervention because it helps the child and family to build their capacity and supports greater inclusion in community and every day settings, meaning each child will be provided with opportunities to grow and learn.

It is about giving children and their families the right supports to enable them to have the best possible start in life.
A child’s early years are very important as they set up how they will learn and develop later in life.

Our early childhood approach focusses on being both family-centred and strengths-based. We do this by acknowledging that as parents and carers you know your child best.

Families are at the centre of all services and supports.

Early childhood intervention should fit in as much as possible with your child and family’s daily activites.

To learn more about early childhood intervention, watch this family perspectives video .

Our early childhood approach aims to:

  • provide timely support to ensure that you are able to access the supports you need
  • give you information about best-practice early childhood intervention supports and how you can help your child
  • increase your confidence and capacity to manage and respond to your child’s support needs increase your child’s ability to do activities they need or want to do throughout their day increase your child’s inclusion and participation in mainstream and community settings like childcare or recreation
  • give you information about, and referrals to, other support services if needed, like parent support groups.

Learn more about the early childhood approach inour guidelines - early childhood approach .

How the early childhood approach works

In many areas around Australia, early childhood partners are available to help you get the support your child needs through the early childhood approach. Early childhood partners are local organisations we fund to deliver the early childhood approach.

What if my child is older than 9?

The NDIS also supports children who are over 9 through our local area coordination partners.

An early childhood partner, Local area coordination partners will work with you to understand your child’s needs and connect you to mainstream and community supports in your area.

They can also help you see if the NDIS is right for your child.

Reviewing how we support young children and their families

The NDIA is implementing improvements to the way we are supporting young children and their families early, to reach their full potential.
Read the latest update on how we’re progressing with the ECEI reset.
 

This page current as of
3 July 2023
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