Early Childhood InterventionWhat do we provide?
Within our Early Childhood Intervention Programs we offer the following services for children aged 0-6, and their families who live within the Newcastle, Port Stephens and Lake Macquarie local government areas:
- Centre Based services
- Outreach Consultancy
- Home Based Program
- EarlyStart program - flexible service delivery model
- Parent/carer groups that provide further information, skills and support for families within the programs.
Our Philosophy
Our programs are family-centred.
We aim to provide an environment which acknowledges and respects the uniqueness and privacy of each family, and the significance of its culture, customs, language, beliefs and the community context in which it operates.
Families are recognised as the most important influence in the life and development of a child and are encouraged to take a leading role in any case conferences, team meetings or planning sessions regarding their child.
Families, teachers and therapists work in collaboration to develop and evaluate individual programs which cater for the specific needs of the child. These needs are looked at in terms of the whole child within the environment of the family and wider community.
Students
Students undertaking training in a variety of disciplines may complete some of the practical requirements of their course in our Early Childhood Intervention programs. These include:
- Teaching
- Speech pathology
- Occupational therapy
- Social work
- Child care
- Community welfare
- School work experience students
Volunteers
Firstchance also welcomes volunteers who work behind the scenes. Their contribution to the success of our programs is enormous.
Please email Linda Rolland at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for relevant forms and/or information.
Funding
These programs receive funding from the NSW Human Services Departments of Disability, Ageing and Home Care (ADHC) and Education and Communities (DEC). Funding for programs is also supplemented by the fundraising efforts of Firstchance.
