Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre
The Autism Association of Western Australia in partnership with Curtin University and Jellybeans Child Care Centres is now providing a service to parents and carers seeking long day care for children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (A.S.D), or whom are going through the diagnostic process, and are aged 0 to 6 years. The centre provides Autism specific, early learning programs within a long day care setting. The Autism Association, Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre is located within the Jellybeans Childcare in Warwick.
Details
Center Location: 121 Ellersdale Road Warwick, Perth Western Australia
Opening hours: 6:30am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday
Contact Details: Program Manager - Annika Renz on 08 9203 8449
Staffing
A highly skilled trans-disciplinary team of professionals work with families to provide an individualised, autism specific early learning program.
Staff include:
- Speech Pathologist/s
- Occupational Therapist/s
- Early Childhood Teacher/s
- Primary Teacher/s
- Psychologist/s
- Experienced Child Care Workers
Funding
The Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre is funded by the Australian Government under the Early Learning and Care Centre Initiative.
Early Learning
The service is based on best-practice in the field of Autism and early learning. It is an evidence based approach grounded in peer reviewed research.
Each child’s program commences with an individual assessment by the specialist team. All assessments are undertaken to identify the child’s learning profile and areas for skill development. A documented program is developed consultation with the family and includes the following areas:
- Communication
- Behaviour/self regulation
- Cognitive Skill Development
- Gross/fine motor development
- Play
- School readiness
- Self help/independence
- Social Skills
Partners with Curtin University
The research component of this program is being undertaken in partnership with Curtin University of Technology to ensure that we deliver the best possible outcomes to children with Autism and their families.
Eligibility
To be enrolled in the centre, children must be under 6 years, and have a diagnosis of an Autism Spectrum Disorder, or going through the diagnostic process for Autism. Eligibility criteria and priority of access guidelines can be discussed at a meeting with the Program Manager.
What to expect
- An Autism Specific Program and Curriculum
- A quality early learning program based on the individual needs of the child & family
- A case manager who acts as a key contact person for each family
- A highly structured & supportive learning environment
- Intensive communication support
- Training and consultancy services to kindergartens, pre-primary and community services.
- Parent training and support to access additional community services
- Siblings can enrol in the Jellybeans program at the adjoining Warwick Centre
- A staff to child ratio of 1:4
How do I enrol my child in the centre?
Expressions of interest are currently being accepted by phone or email. Visits to the centre to view the service are also welcomed.
How much does it cost?
Standard Childcare fees apply. Contact the Program Manager - Annika Renz on 08 9203 8449.
Can Siblings enrol in the program?
Siblings are welcome to enrol in the adjoining Jellybeans Child Care program and will have many opportunities for interacting with their siblings across the day.
FACSHIA initiative
The initiative is being jointly implemented by the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (F.a.H.C.S.I.A). F.a.H.C.S.I.A is responsible for the implementation of the six Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres which are an additional commitment to the Australian Government’s $190 million Helping Children with Autism package.
The centres are located in:
- Perth
- South Western Sydney
- Brisbane
- Adelaide
- North West Tasmania
- Melbourne
The Western Australia centre is affiliated with Curtin University of Technology with links to early childhood or A.S.D related research or services. Through this affiliation with Curtin University of Technology the centre will have a research and workforce training component through student placements in the allied health area which will contribute to achieving a better understanding of A.S.D’s and increase workforce capacity.
Service delivery models for the Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre will be based on the Early Intervention Best Practice Guidelines published by Prior and Roberts (2006) and current evidence of best practice in child care and early childhood education for children with special needs.
Early Intervention Best Practice Guidelines
The project is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA).
