Kids on the Move Project

kids_on_move2 The "Kids on the Move" project helps children with high support needs transition from their early childhood service to a mainstream kindergarten class.

The project is funded by Ageing Disability and Home Care (ADHC) with places for 10 children across the Nepean region of Sydney – Penrith, Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury LGAs.

The project offers the child 12 visits to their new school supported by a staff member of their current early childhood service. Some of these visits take place in Term 4 of the year before the child starts school, with most of the visits taking place in Term 1 of the year that they start. These visits help the child to settle and allow the early childhood staff to share knowledge, skills and experience with school staff.

Results of the project have been overwhelmingly positive. Some comments from families, early childhood staff and teachers included:

This is a fantastic program.
It was very beneficial to have the transition in the term before they started school.
Children got the extra support they required and the extra time.
It helped to build up their confidence in the new environment.
It was useful in establishing the relationship with the teacher and the school.
There was time for information exchange between the early childhood teacher and the school teacher.

Of course there is a greater demand for this project than there are places available. Maybe we will get some more funding some day!

Margaret Cowper

Early Childhood Intervention Educator

Connect Child and Family Services

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48-50 Oaklands Rd. (PO Box 2)

Hazelbrook 2779

4758 9966