- For children younger than 9 with developmental delay or disability.
- Early childhood partners give quick help, even without NDIS eligibility.
- No diagnosis is needed to ask for help.
- Thriving Kids adds new supports from October 2026.
Who is the early childhood approach for?
It's for children younger than 9 with delays in their development or disability, and their families. It aims to help children build skills, take part in daily activities and be included in their community.1
What do early childhood partners do?
Early childhood partners are local organisations funded to deliver the approach. They can:1
- Talk with you about your concerns
- Offer early connections: quick, short-term support
- Link you with community and mainstream supports
- Help you apply to the NDIS if your child needs longer-term support
How does it fit with Thriving Kids?
From 1 October 2026, Thriving Kids starts rolling out for children 8 and under with developmental delay or autism and low to moderate support needs.2 Families will increasingly be guided to the right place: Thriving Kids, community supports, or the NDIS for children with high support needs. See What is Thriving Kids?
What can I do at home while I wait?
Everyday routines are a great place to start. Picture schedules, first-then boards and simple choices help many young children understand what's happening and what's next.
- A picture routine for one hard part of the day
- Showing "first, then" for transitions
- Two picture choices instead of open questions
- Waiting for a diagnosis to start
- Changing everything at once
What can I do this week?
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Read next: How do I apply to the NDIS for my autistic child?
