"We wanted a map of the next few years. We really wanted to know what do we do next?" 

A new online resource for parents has been launched. Starting Point: a guide for parents whose child has a vision impairment is the result of a collaboration between NBCS, RNIB, Guide Dogs, Sense, Action for Blind People, and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust. 

The website and accompanying leaflet have been developed in response to parents' priorities, building on research with parents who helped us shape Starting Point. As one parent said: "We wanted a map of the next few years. We really wanted to know what do we do next?" 

The leaflet introduces parents to the help and support they may need as a parent of a child with a vision impairment and the website gives more in-depth information. 

Visit the online support guide at: 

http://www.nbcs.org.uk/startingpoint

 or call National Blind Children's Society (NBCS) Helpline 0800 781 1444.

Title: Kindergarten Inclusion Support Service and Teachers, Enhancing, Linking and Learning (KISS and TELL).

Anoo Bhopti, Ann Slater, Clare Boschetti.

Yooralla Early Childhood Services, Southern Metropolitan Region. 

Background:

Early Childhood services (ECS) appear to be in a transition phase from one set of ideas about difference, disability and exclusion to an emerging set of ideas about diversity, capability and inclusion (Moore, 2009). The inclusive model is based on a philosophy that all children and families belong to the community, and it is the community's responsibility to support and facilitate the development of all children and support all families. 

Kindergarten Inclusion Support services (KISS) for a child with a severe disability offers supplementary assistance to ECS to support initiatives for the inclusion of children with a severe disability into their kindergarten program. KISS and TELL' program is being offered to ECS staff within their local 4-year-old kindergarten programs to enhance inclusive practices. 

Research Project:

Aims:

Ø  To evaluate the effectiveness of the 'KISS and TELL' program

Ø  To provide a platform for kindergarten teachers to share their experiences of inclusion 

A qualitative study was conducted with 10 participants (teachers within 4-year-old kindergarten programs) through focus groups, questionnaires and interviews. These groups and interviews were repeated after 10 - 12 months.

2 – 3 GAS (Goal Attainment Scaling) goals were drawn with each participant. Resources were sourced and compiled to develop a comprehensive resource for the teachers.

Conclusions:

Ø  The study concluded that provision of support was effective in the group and assisted them through strategies, support and resources to facilitate inclusion within their natural settings.

Ø  All 10 participants recorded a significant change in their goals Participation by all children was a common theme to achieve inclusion.

Ø  Lack of time was the biggest barrier towards implementing strategies.

Implications:

The study makes a small contribution towards the need for support and training for kindergarten teachers within the mainstream to support inclusion. It highlights the barriers and challenges faced by teachers in preschool.

Contact:

Clare Boschetti
Group Manager Children services Southern Metro Region
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

48-50 Oaklands Rd. (PO Box 2)

Hazelbrook 2779

4758 9966