What is the Kindergarten Inclusion Support Service?

The Kindergarten Inclusion Support Services Program supports State-funded kindergartens that cater for children with severe disabilities by:

• Providing an ‘extra pair of hands’ in the form of an additional assistant to assist the Kindergarten teacher.
• Providing both inservice programs and written resources for teaching staff and parents.

Inclusion Support Additional Assistants:

• Work under the direction of the Kindergarten teacher.
• Work with children in small and large groups.
• Assist with recording the children's’ experiences at Kindergarten.
• Attend inservice sessions.

Who Is Eligible?

To be eligible for this program the child must have a severe disability and require support to access and participate in a State-funded kindergarten educational program.

It must be demonstrated that the child has at least one of the following:

• Is at significant risk of injury to self or others.
• Is extremely restricted in their capacity for movement.
• Has exceptional medical support needs.
• The child must meet the eligibility criteria for a place in a State-funded kindergarten.

How can parents/carers make an application to be involved in this program?

Information and application kids are given to parents and carers at regional information sessions, which are held in August each year. Early intervention providers will also have this information. The first round of applications closes in mid-September.

These applications are then considered by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development Regional Advisory Group to determine eligibility and to allocate hours of support.

Late applications are considered until June in the year that the child is due to attend kindergarten.

For more information about this process contact the KISS coordinator at Gateways via Contact Us or on 5221 2984, or the Regional Advisory Group coordinator on 5225 1038.

What support is provided to parents and kindergarten staff?

The Kindergarten teaching team meets regularly with parents and specialist staff. This is called the Kindergarten Support Group.

The aim of this group is to:

• Share information.
• Provide feedback.
• Monitor and evaluate the child’s progress.
• Set realistic objectives.
• Train all staff to carry out the required tasks.
• Build on the team’s strengths, skills and previous experience in order to provide the best possible outcomes for the child.

What is the Gateways Service Philosophy?

Gateways recognises that each child and family are unique, and we aim to develop programs that best suit the needs of each family.

Working together makes the best use of the skills and knowledge of the family and professionals.

How do I contact for  more information?

For more details about the Kindergarten Inclusion Support Service contact Gateways via Contact Us or on 5221 2984.