The early years of our children’s lives lays the foundation for a lifetime of learning, growth and experiences. The Early Childhood Approach (ECA) is the National Disability Insurance Scheme’s (NDIS) approach to giving children and their families the right supports to enable them to have the best possible start in life.
If you have concerns about your child’s development, the NDIS Early Childhood Approach (ECA) is here to support you and your child. Let’s learn more about this approach.
About the NDIS Early Childhood Approach
Overall, the NDIS Early Childhood Approach (ECA) supports children younger than 9 and their families. The ECA helps children younger than 6 with developmental delay and children younger than 9 with disability and help their families to access the right support for day to day living, learning and growth.
Note that children younger than 6 do not need a diagnosis to get support through the ECA where there are concerns about their development.
The Approach focuses on helping children and their family to build their capacity and supports greater inclusion in community and everyday settings. This means each child will be provided with opportunities to learn and grow.
Your child’s age and their support under the NDIS Early Childhood Approach
From 1 July 2023 the age of children supported under the ECA is progressively changing. The change will take place over the next 2 years to include children younger than 9 (previously younger than 7).
Children under 6 are supported by an early childhood partner and do not need diagnosis to get support.
Children who are currently NDIS participants, turning 7 after 1 July 2023 will remain with their ECP until they turn 9.
Children who are currently NDIS participants, who are turning 7 before 1 July 2023 will transition to a local area coordination partner (as this is the current process).
Children younger than 9 with a permanent disability, who are new to the NDIS from 1 July 2023 will be supported by an early childhood partner.
Children younger than 9 will be supported by NDIS Early Childhood Partners.
What if my child is older than 9?
Children older than 9 are supported by NDIS Local Area Coordinator Partners.
I have concerns about my child’s development, where do I start?
If you have concerns about your child’s development or disability you should first speak with your doctor, child health nurse, early childhood educator or other health professional.
After talking with your child’s health or education professional an Early Childhood Partner (ECP) can help you connect to the right supports.
Early Childhood Partners (ECPs) are local organization the NDIS works with to deliver the Early Childhood Approach (ECA). ECPs have teams of professionals with experience and clinical expertise in working with young children with developmental delay or disability and with their family.
Learn more about getting help for your child with an Early Childhood Partner here.
You can also contact the NDIS by calling 1800 800 110, emailing enquiries@ndis.gov.au or via webchat.
Still unsure? Here's a guide to getting NDIS support
You’ve spoken with your child’s health or education professional and booked an appointment with your ECP.
During your appointment your appointment with your ECP, they will consider your concerns and child’s development needs. Through careful questioning, functional screening and observing your child, your ECP will be able to advise whether mainstream supports, or longer term supports through an NDIS Plan are required.
Should your child require an NDIS Plan, your ECP works with you to develop a tailored plan and recommendations are included for funded supports towards the goals in the Plan.
It is important to include ‘Improved Life Choices’ in your plan so that you qualify for a Plan Manager, and LifeAbility can take care of all the budgeting and administration relating to the Plan and as required by the NDIA.
The Plan is then submitted to the NDIS for ‘delegate consideration’ and it is decided if your Plan is approved.
You will meet your ECP every 12 months to review development, supports needed and develop a new NDIS plan tailored to changing support needs.
Remember this is a general guide and everyone’s journey will be different. If you have any questions at all you can contact the NDIS or feel free to get in contact with us!
NDIS abbreviations and acronyms
We realise there’s a lot of terms and a lot of abbreviations. NDIS has created this helpful glossary of terms for you to refer to.
Still got questions?
You can always contact us a LifeAbility for support!
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