Early Childhood Approach

Our early childhood teams work collaboratively with you and your family to support your child's development at home, at childcare and in the community.

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Early Childhood Approach for children aged 0 – 9 years

ESA is a registered provider of the NDIS Early Childhood Approach (ECA) – formerly known as the Early Childhood Early Intervention approach.

The ECA is about fast access to support for children aged under seven years with a developmental delay or disability so they can get the best possible start in life. Your child’s early years are very important as they set up how they will learn and develop later in life.

Whether your child needs short-term early intervention or longer-term support, our early intervention support services can provide support for your child’s development, participation and quality of life.

Your child will have access to multiple clinicians with different fields of interest and expertise, including paediatrics, mental health, and physical disability.

We use a multidisciplinary approach to support more efficient, improved outcomes. This means a team of people with different skills work together to plan and provide services to your child.

The Early Childhood Approach team:

  • Occupational therapists
  • Exercise physiologists
  • Speech pathologists
  • Psychologists
  • Physiotherapists
  • Positive behaviour supporters
  • Therapy assistants
  • Counsellors
  • Social workers
  • Teachers
  • Keyworkers

We provide support for key developmental areas:

  • Communication (e.g. learning to talk and express wants and needs, thoughts and feelings and understanding other)
  • Mobility and movement including fine and gross motor skills
  • Everyday routines and activities (e.g. toileting, bathing, dressing, sleeping, brushing teeth and hair)
  • Social skills, play and relationships
  • Feeding and mealtimes (e.g. eating, drinking and mealtime participation)
  • Sleep
  • Development of routines
  • Kindy and school readiness
  • Sensory and emotional regulation

We can help your child to thrive by:

  • We work with you to develop a shared vision of your child, their interests, strengths and areas to develop
  • Specialist therapists promote your child’s development and learning
  • We support your child’s development and participation in their natural environments at home, at school and in their local community
  • Key Worker approach available
  • We offer flexible and tailored early intervention services to ensure we are fully supporting children and families to reach their goals.

Specialised services

In addition to extensive knowledge and experience of supporting the development of children with disability, some specific skills we have within our team include:

  • Hanen – learn practical and powerful strategies to communicate and interact with your child during everyday routines and activities.
  • Specialist mealtime and feeding supports including Sequential Oral Sensory Approach to Feeding (SOS) – a program to support children with feeding difficulties.
  • Workshop and support groups – such as school readiness, hydrotherapy and cooking groups.
Tips for creating a supportive home environment for children with dyslexia ESA

Find a clinic near you

We have clinics in every state and territory providing assessments, early childhood intervention therapies, and support to help you thrive.

Find a clinic

The Early Start Australia promise

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Holistic care and treatment plans

Our multi-disciplinary team works together with you to understand your child’s needs. From there, we’ll develop a plan with evidence-based strategies. Work with us to achieve your goals and enjoy a better quality of life.

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Australia-wide reach

With clinics in every state and territory, and an experienced team of therapists. Find help when you need it, where you need it.

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Registered NDIS provider

We are a registered NDIS provider and are here to help you on your NDIS journey. We provide quality and safe services, follow NDIS requirements, and support your needs and goals.

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Early intervention at all stages

Early intervention is not just for young children. We offer therapies that cater to all ages, needs and abilities, and we know the sooner you start your therapy journey, the better your outcomes. With us, you can learn new skills and enjoy more freedom and control in your life.

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