Early childhood approach (NDIS)

Meli is proud to be the early childhood partner delivering the NDIS early childhood approach across the Barwon Region.

The early childhood approach for children younger than 9 | NDIS

The early childhood approach supports children younger than 6 with developmental delay or concern or children younger than 9 with disability and their families to access the right support at the right time. It is about giving children and their families the right supports to enable them to have the best possible start in life.

The early childhood approach aims to:
• provide timely support
• provide you with information about your child’s development
• increase your confidence and capacity as parents and carers
• build your child’s ability to engage and enjoy activities
• enhance your child’s inclusion and participation in their community
• share information about community and mainstream support services that may be best suited for you and your child.

The early childhood approach is funded by the NDIS and allows our specialist early childhood practitioners to work with you to:

• gather evidence and information about your concerns for your child’s development.
• build on your understanding of your child’s needs.
• provide practical information about your child’s development.
• make recommendations about suitable support options.

Through the early childhood approach, depending on your child’s disability or delay, your early childhood practitioner may recommend:

• early connections – connection to community and mainstream supports, or information that will support your child’s development is available for children aged 0 – 8 years.

• early supports – offered by our team to support you to understand and foster your child’s development is available for children aged 0 -5 years.

• access to the NDIS – for funded supports in the case of significant developmental delay for children aged 0 – 5 years OR children with an eligible disability diagnosis or permanent impairment aged 0 – 8 years.

How to access this service

To find out more please contact the early childhood approach team:

Phone: 1300 012 293
Email: meli.earlychildhood@ndis.gov.au

Refer a child Ask a question