There are several funded programs and resources available to help you implement effective disability inclusion practices in NSW.

These programs offer essential support for creating tailored adjustments, accessing specialised resources and fostering a culture of belonging.

Here’s an overview of key programs and practical steps for accessing these supports to enhance your service’s capacity to engage and support all children.

Key support programs for disability inclusion

Disability and Inclusion Program

The NSW Department of Education's Disability and Inclusion Program (DIP) provides funding and support to enable children with disability or additional needs to participate in a quality early childhood education program on the same basis as their peers.

It is available for not-for-profit community preschools receiving funding under the NSW Start Strong for Community Preschools or the Mobile Preschool Funding Program.

The DIP aims to increase community preschools' capacity to include children with disability or additional needs and promote equitable education outcomes at preschool and during their transition to school.

There are 4 program components:

• High Learning Support Needs – funding for children with high learning support needs is provided to develop and deliver each child’s Individual Learning Plan (ILP).

• Inclusive Environments – funding for environmental modifications and specialised equipment/furniture.

• Sector Capacity Building Program – a training and support program for staff in community preschools to implement inclusive education practices and enhance ongoing inclusion readiness.

• Early Childhood Inclusive Education Scholarships – a scholarship program for early childhood teachers to undertake a postgraduate qualification in Early Childhood Inclusive Education.

Inclusion Support Program

The Inclusion Support Program (ISP) is a national program funded by the Australian Government Department of Education.

It supports eligible ECEC services to build their capacity and capability to include children with additional needs, so all children have genuine opportunities to access, participate in and achieve positive learning outcomes.

Support available through the ISP includes:

• support from an Inclusion Agency (IA) – IAs employ skilled inclusion professionals who provide tailored support to help ECEC services address inclusion barriers and develop their inclusion capacity and capability

• Specialist Equipment Library (SEL) – services can borrow equipment through an IA to facilitate and support the inclusion of a child with additional needs

• funding from the Inclusion Development Fund – ECEC services can access funding to address barriers to inclusion that cannot be resolved through support from an IA or the SEL.

In NSW, the ISP is delivered by the NSW/ACT Inclusion Agency, which is managed by KU Children’s Services in partnership with Include Me and Gowrie NSW.

For more information or to access support, contact your inclusion professional directly or the NSW/ACT IA Help Hub team on 1800 703 382 (toll free) or email inclusionagency@includeme.com.

Integration funding support

Public preschools may be able to access Integration Funding Support (IFS) for children with disability who meet the requirement for substantial or extensive adjustments as defined by the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data for Students with Disability (NCCD) guidelines.

Public preschools should visit the Integration funding support webpage for information on eligibility requirements and how to apply.

Practical guidance on applying for support

Resources

In addition to funding programs, several valuable resources and tools are available to support disability inclusion in ECEC services.

By tapping into these funding programs, supports and resources, ECEC services can ensure they are well-equipped to meet the needs of all children, and promote a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for children with disabilities or additional needs across NSW.