Learning Links SCB Survey | School Readiness
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May 2023
Welcome to our May edition of the SCB Inclusion Links Newsletter. It has been a busy start to the year, but it is wonderful to hear how the children and families are now settling well into the preschools over Term 2. We thank everyone for their participation in the SCB program and how committed everyone has been to extending and building on their inclusion practices.
Learning Links SCB Survey
Over the last few weeks you will have received information about the Learning Links SCB Survey. We hope that you will take the time to complete the survey to assist in providing feedback regarding the delivery of the SCB program. The survey is very brief and will only take a few minutes to complete. Thank you to all those preschools that have already contributed to the survey. We greatly appreciate it and look forward to seeing many more responses. Remember it is completely anonymous.
We ask that you please submit your responses by the 31st May.
Higher Learning Support Needs (HLSN) Applications
It is great to hear of the many HLSN applications that have been submitted and successfully received funding to support children with disability and Higher Learning Support Needs. We know how hard you all work to collect the required information and complete the applications for the benefit of the children and your teams.
For any new applications, remember to submit by Friday 26 May to receive the funding for July to September. Please also note that if you miss this date, you can still apply up until the end of June to be backdated to the child’s start date. Applications can continue to be submitted from July but will not be back dated further than July.
SCB Network Meeting
We thank everyone for their participation in previous SCB network meetings. This is a great opportunity to meet others from the sector and come together to collaborate regarding inclusive practices. Please let Lauren know if you are interested in hosting a network meeting. By hosting at a range of different preschools, all staff have the opportunity to see other inclusive learning environments.
School Enrolment
A reminder for all preschools that now is the time to be discussing school options with families and ensuring that children with support needs have begun conversations with their local school. Children that will require learning support through either integration funding, support class, or SSP (School for Specific Purposes) will require an access request form to be completed via their local public school. Families can go to https://education.nsw.gov.au/school-finder to find their local school.
For more information on inclusive learning support and access request forms these web pages can be of assistance:
School Readiness
As Early Childhood Educators we know the importance of ensuring children are ready for school through enhancing their social skills and emotional development. To support children in their school readiness we want to build skills of independence, resilience, the ability to negotiate social situations and regulate their emotions. The following articles offer further information for staff and families regarding what skills are most important for school readiness:
Kid Sense Child Development: School Readiness
Occupational Therapy Helping Children: School Readiness – What Are The Most Important Skills?
Although the social and emotional skills of children provide a solid foundation for starting school, there are still a number of other ways that we can develop their school readiness for participation and completion of tasks in the classroom.
These tip sheets on building children’s vocabulary and prewriting skills can offer further insight into ways that we can support children in preparing for school tasks.
The Learning Links Inclusion Hub has an extensive range of resources and professional learning opportunities to support your team’s inclusive practice journey. You can also find previous newsletters located on the Resource and Tools page of the Hub with additional tip sheets and recorded webinars.
Some of the recent additions to the Learning Links Inclusion Hub include research and information to support staff and families regarding school readiness. Have a read of these articles to gather further support and information.
Starting school: children with disability | Raising Children Network
Primary schools for autistic children | Raising Children Network
Starting primary school: autistic children | Raising Children Network
Shaping the future for autism | Amaze
The following articles also provide insight into Global Developmental Delay (GDD) and Developmental Delay for those wanting an insight into these developmental difficulties.
Developmental Delay and Global Developmental Delay | One On One Children's Therapy
"Delay" and "Global Developmental Delay": Is There a Difference? | Dev Peds Village
Learning Links Locations
Alexandria (Support Office)
Suite 3, Level 1
140 Bourke Rd
Alexandria NSW 2015
Ph: (02) 8525 8250
Bella Vista
6a/7 Meridian Pl
Bella Vista NSW 2153
Ph: (02) 8525 8260
Gledswood Hills
Suite 7, SOMA Wellness
7 Gregory Hills Dr
Gledswood Hills NSW 2557
Ph: (02) 8525 8270
Liverpool
Shop 2, 54-56 Macquarie St (North)
Liverpool NSW 2170
Ph: (02) 8525 8280
Oatley
Cnr Oatley Rd and
Hurstville Rd
Oatley NSW 2223
Ph: (02) 8525 8222
Peakhurst
12-14 Pindari Rd
Peakhurst NSW 2210
Ph: (02) 8525 8222