Kindergarten Inclusion Support

“This program has been amazing for our son who has moved forward in leaps and bounds. The program has enabled him to further his social skills and attempt to make some friends. The enjoyment he has now at kinder is incredible”   ……Parent

What is the Kindergarten Inclusion Support Program?

The Kindergarten Inclusion Support Program is funded by the Victorian Department of Education to support the inclusion of children with a disability and complex support needs attending 3-year-old or 4-year-old state-funded kindergartens in the Geelong and Barwon South West areas. The support assists kindergarten staff to deliver a high-quality educational program for all children attending.

The kindergarten teaching team, parents and specialist staff meet once a term to set realistic goals and provide feedback on your child’s progress.

The type of support that might be provided through this program includes:

• • Additional staffing support through an Inclusion Support Additional Assistant (ISAA or AA) who:

  • Works under the direction of the kindergarten teacher to provide a high quality program

  • Works with all children in the group to carry out general kindergarten assistant duties including supervising play, supporting children with different activities and helping with routines

  • Assists with recording the children’s experiences at kindergarten.

  • Specialist training and Specialist Consultancy support for early childhood teachers and educators to build capacity of kindergartens to provide inclusive programs for all children

  • Contributions in funding towards minor building modifications to the service, that help to ensure the safety and accessibility of all children to the program.

Who Is Eligible?

To be eligible for this program, a kindergarten group needs to have a child attending who has a severe disability and/or complex medical need, and 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.

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

All applications for the KIS Program are to be completed by the Kindergarten Service.

Kindergarten services and early intervention providers will have information on the application process for KIS support services.

The process is undertaken by the kindergarten your child is enrolled in to attend . The Kindergarten Teacher will consult with you regarding the application for your child.

The first round of applications opens on the 1st of October in the year prior to attendance, and applications can be submitted at any time up until the fourth week of Term 4 in the following year. The Departmental KIS Program Guidelines can be found here – Kindergarten inclusion for children with disabilities (education.vic.gov.au)

All KIS applications are assessed by an Assessor at the KIS Application Service, AHA (Australian Healthcare Associates). The Assessor reviews the application and determines eligibility for the KIS Program and allocates the approved support services.

 

The KIS Program Support Team at Gateways provide advice and guidance on submitting a KIS Application and in organising the supports approved for the kindergarten.

For more information about the KIS Program, please contact the Gateways KIS Program Advisor at: KIS@gateways.com.au or by telephoning 0458 464 350 or (03) 5221 2984.