About ECIS
All families need support, from preschool and child care through to specialist services to address their children's individual needs. Early Childhood Intervention Services support children with a disability or developmental delay, from birth to school entry, and their families.
These services are funded through the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and provided by Specialist Children's Services teams and Early Childhood Intervention agencies.
The overall aim of these services is to provide parents and families with the knowledge, skills and support to meet the needs of their child and to optimise the child's development and ability to participate in family and community life.
All families can use a range of local supports and services including:
- Maternal and Child Health Service - available through your local council
- community health centres
- regional parenting services
- preschool and preschool field officers
- child care
- occasional care
- playgroups
Specialist services are also available to children and families, including:
- information and parent education
- assessing the individual needs of the child and family
- assisting families to coordinate services
- education and therapy programs
- additional support to improve access and participation in preschool and child care
- assisting the move to school
- parent support through the Strengthening Parent Support Program
- case management and respite through the Early Choices Program.
All services are provided using a family-centred approach, recognising the importance of working in partnership with the family.