- Published:
- Wednesday, 2 December 2015
The Andrews Labor Government is introducing new learning resources to help young Victorian children with additional needs reach their full learning potential.
The Early Abilities Based Learning and Education Support (Early ABLES) assessment tool helps early childhood educators working with children with a disability or developmental delay.
The ABLES tool has been available for school age children for a number of years, and now Early ABLES will support early childhood educators working with children aged between two and five.
It comprises online assessment tools and evidence-based strategies to give educators a full picture of a child’s strengths and abilities, and develop an individual learning program for that child.
The new Early ABLES resources will:
- achieve better learning progress for young children with disabilities or developmental delay through improved curriculum planning, and
- support the transition to school by improving the sharing of information between early childhood educators, families and school professionals.
Training available for educators using the Early ABLES assessment tool will include information sessions at conferences and webinars, online training modules and information kits.
The Early ABLES resource will be available for all education and care services, beginning with state-funded kindergarten programs. It will be rolled out across Victoria from the start of 2016.
These resources will help early childhood teachers to stay up-to-date on current thinking on the teaching of young children with disabilities, as part of their new professional development requirements as registered teachers with the Victorian Institute of Teaching.
The Labor Government’s agenda for children with a disability also includes cutting the Early Childhood Intervention Services waitlist. Children will receive priority entry to the NDIS with a full transition in the first two years, by July 2018.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos
“We are making Victoria the Education State – this means giving every child the chance to reach their full learning potential, regardless of ability.”
“These resources will mean that early childhood teachers are equipped to best support children with disability or developmental delay to be their best.”