NDIS Early Childhood Development

Early childhood development refers to how young children grow and develop, including those with disabilities or developmental delays. The early childhood development sector, encompassing government childcare departments, early learning centres, and family day care programs, is responsible for providing all children, including those with developmental needs, access to essential care and education. Sometimes, inclusion supports are necessary to help children join early learning settings, such as school readiness programs, to ensure they are prepared for formal education.

The NDIS provides additional early intervention supports for children with developmental delays or disabilities who require more help than what early childhood services offer. These supports focus on enhancing daily living skills, such as communication and self-care, and promoting independence to reduce the need for future NDIS support. The NDIS early childhood approach is available to children under 6 with developmental delays and those under 9 with disabilities.