Kindergarten Inclusion Support (KIS) Program

The Kindergarten Inclusion Support (KIS) Packages aim to build the capacity of funded kindergartens for supporting the access and participation of children with a disability and high support needs and/or complex medical needs. The support provided by the KIS packages is on top of the existing resources available to kindergarten staff and does not necessarily fully cover all the costs involved.

The KIS package program provides support for such things as:

• purchasing specialist training,
• paying for specialist consultancy support,
• undertaking minor building modifications, and
• employing additional support staff.

To be eligible for a KIS package, the child must:

• be attending a four-year-old funded kindergarten program or be eligible for Early Start funding at a funded kindergarten,
• have a disability or be currently supported by early childhood intervention service or be undergoing continuing assessment of a disability (as defined by the Disability Act 2006), and
• meet at least one of the following conditions:
  • be at significant risk of serious injury to self or others, and/or
  • be extremely restricted in their capacity for movement, and/or
  • have exceptional support needs that require immediate medical intervention for life-threatening situations.

The support provided by specialist consultants may help early childhood teachers to enhance the knowledge, confidence, and skills required for:

• implementing previously identified adaptations to the program, activities, routines and environment,
• planning a program that responds to newly identified learning and development needs of all children,
• supporting all children to access and meaningfully participate in all aspects of the program,
• implementing a team approach to support inclusion of all children,
• engaging respectfully with families and responding to their concerns, and
• connecting and collaborating with other professionals.

Full copies of the guidelines, information and application kit, may be obtained from the Department of Education and Training (DET) website: http://www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/parents/needs/Pages/kinderinclusion.aspx