Information for parents/caregivers and Early Childhood Education centres with pre-school children who have Down syndrome
We have put together information for parents/caregivers, their families and ECE centres with pre-school children with Down syndrome. This includes information about Early Intervention Services in the Auckland region, information and resources related to transitioning a child to an early childhood education setting or having a child in an early childhood education setting. It also includes information about courses, activities/therapies, books, financial support and online resources that families with pre-school children with Down syndrome have found useful.
- Early Intervention Services for Pre-school Children in Auckland
- “In the Know” by CCS
- ‘Passport’ example and template
- “Including Children with Down Syndrome in Early Childhood Care and Education Settings”
- ADSA library information
- “Getting Started!!! Using VISUAL SYSTEMS to promote COMMUNICATION”
- Ministry of Education Resources
- Useful Resources and Information
Early Intervention Services for pre-school children in Auckland»
This includes answers to frequently asked questions about how Early Intervention Services work in Auckland.
‘In the Know’ by CCS (PDF)»
This is an excellent guide to health, education and disability services for parents, caregivers and whanau of young children in Auckland. Of particular relevance to early childhood education are the following (PDF) pages:
- Early Childhood Education p84 (PDF)
- What To Do If Your Child Needs Extra Support p85 (PDF)
- 20 hours ECE p86 (PDF)
- Support Available For Young Children With Additional Educational Needs p87 (PDF)
- Choosing an Early Childhood Education Service p88 (PDF)
- Financial Help with your Income p68 (PDF)
- including an Income Tested Childcare Subsidy p71 (PDF)
- Financial Help with Home Modifications or Equipment p72 (PDF), and
- Grant Funding p73 (PDF)
‘Passport’ example (PDF) and template (DOC)
This includes an example (PDF) and a word document template (DOC) to use to make information about your little one to give to your early childcare education provider.
The ADSA uses a similar format in their transitioning to school pack.
“Including Children with Down Syndrome in Early Childhood Care and Education Settings” (PDF)»
Published by Down Syndrome Ireland, this is an excellent information booklet to help support all practitioners in the early childhood education context and goes over common strengths and special considerations needed for children with Down syndrome, as well as advice for how to integrate a child with Down syndrome in an ECE setting.
The summary (PDF) can be used as a ‘quick look’ of the key information.
ADSA Resource Library»
Members of ADSA are automatically enrolled in the ADSA library which has a wide variety of resources related to Down syndrome available to borrow. Your early childhood education centre is able to join our library too if you are a member of ADSA.
“Getting Started!!! Using VISUAL SYSTEMS to promote COMMUNICATION” (PDF)»
This is a detailed information booklet by Dolly Bhargava on the benefits of using visual systems.
Some recent research disputes some of the suggestions in this book. Fiona Kenworthy, SLT, who presents the segment “Using visuals to assist children in accessing the curriculum” in Our Success in School-course, suggests the book Visual Support for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. However, this is aimed at children on the Spectrum and is not specific to Down syndrome.
Ministry of Education resources
- Speech, language and communication needs – A resource for Educators (PDF)»
- Down Syndrome – A resource for educators (PDF)»
- Communication support for pre-school children who are deaf or hard of hearing (PDF)»
- Introducing education support workers – Information for early childhood educators (PDF)»
Useful resources and information»
This section includes information about courses, activities/therapies, books, financial support and online resources that families with pre-school children with Down syndrome have found useful.