Mt. Dandenong Pre School Inc.
Inclusion Policy
Date of Approval:
June 2008
Date of Review: November 2009
Circulation:
Policy Handbook and Parents Upon Request
Scope
To the committee of management, staff, volunteers and students who work with children with additional needs.
Definitions
The Federal Disability Discrimination Act – states that “It is unlawful for an Educational authority to discriminate against a
person on the grounds of a person’s disability or a disability of any of the persons associates.”
Additional needs – children whose development, in one or more of the following areas, needs specialist support – mobility,
expressive and/or receptive communication, social behaviour, safe behaviours, fine motor skills, vision, hearing, self care,
cognitive skills.
Inclusion is – the incorporation of children with additional needs into the preschool program to ensure that they have equal
opportunities to achieve their maximum potential.
Policy
Values
o This centre is committed to providing all eligible children with the opportunity to experience a preschool program
regardless of their additional needs.
o This centre recognizes that all children will learn in different ways and at different rates.
Purpose
The provision of appropriate programs for children with additional needs. In consultation with parents and additional
resources services all children will be encouraged to maximize their full potential.
Our Policy Will Ensure That:
o This centre will provide appropriate programs and experiences for children with additional needs.
o The committee will provide enrolment procedures which offer access to all children based on clearly defined
statements.
o The enrolment of a child with additional needs will be done in consultation with staff, the child’s parents and
appropriate support services
o The centre will provide appropriate physical and staffing resources.
o The centre will provide support and training for staff who are working with children with additional needs.
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Procedures
Enrolment Requirements
o It is important that any specific information required to assist the staff and committee in planning for children with
additional needs should be part of the enrolment information which is sent to parents when they first enroll at the
centre.
o Children who will be repeating the preschool year will also need to be assessed as having “additional needs” by the
regional Primary Care Team of the DHS, before they can be accepted as confirmed enrolments.
Program Requirements
o The development program will be provided by the teacher in consultation with parent and specialist support
services.
Additional Physical and Staff Resources
o Consultation with the staff, the parents of the child, and other professionals and/or agencies working with the family
will take place to determine additional resources.
o Assistance may be sought through the Commonwealth Additional Education Program in the form of supplementary
funding for additional assistants and preschool programs.
o Supplementary funding be applied for each child who will require assistance on an individual basis.
o If necessary a support group consisting of parents or family members may be required to attend the program with
the child.
Committee Structures
Sub committee, working party meetings or particular people
An inclusion support group may be needed to assist with the inclusion of each child with additional needs, Such a group
should consist of:
o The child’s parent/s
o The teacher
o The additional assistant
o A committee staffing representative
o Professionals and/or agencies working with the family
o Any other person which this group deems necessary e.g. DHS Early Intervention Staff
This group would also be responsible for:
o Applying for additional assistance
o Seeking any other resources which may be required e.g. Attendant Care, for any medical assistance the child may
require.
Key Responsibilities and Authorities
Responsibilities
The Committee
o It is the committee responsibility to ensure that the planning and resourcing for additional needs children is
occurring.
o The committee will clearly define who is responsible for co-coordinating the support required if any dispute arises.
o The committee is responsible for the employment of any Additional Assistants for Inclusion support to additional
needs children, and the teacher should be involved in this application process.
o Assistance will be sought through the Commonwealth Additional Education Program in the form of supplementary
funding for additional assistants and pre school program
o This support must be applied for each child who will require assistance on an individual basis.
The Staff:
o It is the responsibility of the teaching staff to plan the program from the child and to ensure that any support or
resources available for that child is obtained e.g. The Pre-School Field Officer, Early Intervention Centre or the
Department of Human Services Specialist Children’s Services team
o It is the responsibility of the teacher to ensure that the parent is fully informed about the program and had given
consent for any action, support or intervention planned for the child.
Authorities
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The Parents
o The parent of any child with additional needs has the right to be involved in, and fully informed about, any
intervention or support which is being planning for their child as stated in ‘Principles and Practices in Early
Intervention’ booklet, Health and Community Services
o Parents must give consent to any assessments or reports on their child and have a right to copies of such
documents.
o Parents have the right to decide who will receive information about their child and also have the right to retain
information that they do not wish to divulge.
o Parents have the right to demand and be guaranteed confidentiality in all matters to do with their child.
The Committee
o The committee must approve changes to the enrolment policy, the building and staffing provisions for additional
needs children.
Training
All qualified staff working with children with additional needs will have some understanding of appropriate inclusion and
program planning. Some additional professional development in specific areas may be necessary for staff.
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