New resources to help children with disability access quality early learning

New information packages are now available to help the early childhood education and care sector ensure their services are accessible to children with disability.

The two packages – Team Meeting Package, and Recruitment Package – were developed by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) in consultation with the disability and early childhood education and care sectors.

The Team Meeting Package will help employers understand their obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (the Act), ensuring staff know about making reasonable adjustments so children with disability are included in early childhood education and care.

The Recruitment Package will guide and support employers in recruiting, interviewing and inducting new employees to help them meet their obligations under the Act.

The new packages build on resources released last year, helping people with a disability access education and training on the same basis as their peers. 

Both sets of documents were developed in response to recommendations from the 2020 Review of the Disability Standards for Education 2005.

Earlier this week, the Government announced an additional $21.2 million for the Inclusion Support Program, helping children with additional needs access and participate in quality early childhood education and care.

The new information packages, launched today, can be found on the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority website.

The resources, launched last year, can be found on the Department of Education website.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education and Youth Dr Anne Aly

“Access to quality early childhood education and care is critical to supporting children’s development and future successes, particularly so for children with disability.

“Participating in early education on the same basis as their peers helps children with disability to thrive not only in their early years but throughout life.

“These resources will help early childhood educators and service managers understand their obligations, ensuring the delivery of inclusive early learning.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth

“Ensuring access to quality early learning is so important for all children, but particularly children with disability.

“Our aim is to create a more inclusive Australia for all and these resources will assist in that goal. We are also ensuring children with disability are a focus in our Early Years Strategy.

“We want to remove any barriers that children with disability and their families face in accessing early learning and ensure children with disability can be supported through their learning journey.”

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