Understand the child
Consider strengths, communication, routines, interests, sensitivities and support strategies.
Call
(07) 3633 0813
Opening Hours
Monday–Friday
9:00 am–5:00 pm
9:00 am–5:00 pm
Call
(07) 3633 0813
Opening Hours
Monday–Friday
9:00 am–5:00 pm
9:00 am–5:00 pm
Care for Children With Additional Needs
Individual needs considered with care, honesty and collaboration
Families can discuss their child’s health, development, communication, routines and support needs so the service and educator can carefully consider whether a proposed arrangement may be safe, inclusive and appropriate.
An Individually Considered Approach
The aim is not to make assumptions based on a diagnosis or label. The service needs to understand the individual child, the proposed environment and the support required.
Consider the environment
Review the home, group, daily routine and educator’s ability to provide appropriate support.
Plan together
Families, educators and the service discuss relevant information and practical arrangements.
Review over time
The arrangement may need adjustment as the child’s needs or circumstances change.
Illustrative family scenario
Eli and his family
A smaller and more predictable environment
Eli is four and becomes overwhelmed in loud, crowded environments. He communicates well with familiar adults but may withdraw when routines change unexpectedly.
His parents are seeking a smaller care setting with predictable routines and an educator willing to understand his sensory preferences, familiar calming strategies and ways of communicating when he needs space.
Malaika Garden would need to consider the proposed educator’s environment, experience, current group and capacity before any placement could be confirmed.
How Suitability Is Considered
The assessment is intended to determine whether the proposed arrangement can reasonably support the child’s safety, wellbeing and participation.
Initial conversation
The family explains the child’s strengths, needs, routines and current support.
Educator consideration
The service considers whether a potentially suitable educator and environment are available.
Planning discussion
Relevant strategies, information, responsibilities and practical adjustments are discussed.
Decision and review
Any arrangement is confirmed only after suitability is considered and may be reviewed after commencement.
Areas That May Require Planning
The relevant areas depend on the individual child. Not every child will require planning across all of these matters.
Communication
How the child expresses needs, understands information and responds to unfamiliar situations.
Health and medication
Relevant health information, authorised plans and responsibilities that may affect care.
Environment and sensory needs
Noise, space, movement, transitions and environmental factors that may support or overwhelm the child.
Participation and routines
Adjustments that may help the child participate in meals, play, rest and group experiences.
Information Families Should Share
Clear and relevant information helps the service make a more informed assessment. Families should not minimise important needs out of concern that the placement may be declined.
Helpful information
- The child’s strengths and interests
- Communication preferences
- Daily routines and comfort strategies
- Known triggers or safety concerns
- Health, dietary or medication requirements
- Current professional or family support strategies
What the service may consider
- The educator’s experience and capacity
- The physical care environment
- The ages and needs of other children attending
- Whether reasonable adjustments are practical
- Any additional planning or support required
- Whether the arrangement can be sustained safely
Families should use the initial enquiry to provide a clear overview.
The service will explain how to provide sensitive documents if they
are later required.
Additional Needs Care Questions
Every child and proposed care arrangement must be considered individually.
Does my child need a formal diagnosis?
Families should discuss the child’s actual needs and support requirements. The service may request relevant information where it is necessary to assess the proposed arrangement.
Will Malaika Garden guarantee a placement?
No. A placement depends on the child’s needs, educator capacity, available environment and whether the arrangement can be supported safely.
Can I meet the educator before deciding?
Families should have an opportunity to discuss the proposed arrangement and ask relevant questions before enrolment is completed.
Can care arrangements be adjusted after commencement?
Arrangements may be reviewed where the child’s needs, circumstances or available support change.
Should I send medical documents through the general form?
No. Begin with a general overview. The service will explain the appropriate process if sensitive documents are required.
Tell us what helps your child feel safe and included
Begin with a clear overview of your child’s strengths, routines, communication and support needs. Our team can explain the next steps and whether a potentially suitable arrangement may be explored.
Care for Children With Additional Needs
Individual needs considered with care, honesty and collaboration
Families can discuss their child’s health, development, communication, routines and support needs so the service and educator can carefully consider whether a proposed arrangement may be safe, inclusive and appropriate.
An Individually Considered Approach
The aim is not to make assumptions based on a diagnosis or label. The service needs to understand the individual child, the proposed environment and the support required.
Understand the child
Consider strengths, communication, routines, interests, sensitivities and support strategies.
Consider the environment
Review the home, group, daily routine and educator’s ability to provide appropriate support.
Plan together
Families, educators and the service discuss relevant information and practical arrangements.
Review over time
The arrangement may need adjustment as the child’s needs or circumstances change.
Illustrative family scenario
Eli and his family
A smaller and more predictable environment
Eli is four and becomes overwhelmed in loud, crowded environments. He communicates well with familiar adults but may withdraw when routines change unexpectedly.
His parents are seeking a smaller care setting with predictable routines and an educator willing to understand his sensory preferences, familiar calming strategies and ways of communicating when he needs space.
Malaika Garden would need to consider the proposed educator’s environment, experience, current group and capacity before any placement could be confirmed.
How Suitability Is Considered
The assessment is intended to determine whether the proposed arrangement can reasonably support the child’s safety, wellbeing and participation.
Initial conversation
The family explains the child’s strengths, needs, routines and current support.
Educator consideration
The service considers whether a potentially suitable educator and environment are available.
Planning discussion
Relevant strategies, information, responsibilities and practical adjustments are discussed.
Decision and review
Any arrangement is confirmed only after suitability is considered and may be reviewed after commencement.
Areas That May Require Planning
The relevant areas depend on the individual child. Not every child will require planning across all of these matters.
Communication
How the child expresses needs, understands information and responds to unfamiliar situations.
Health and medication
Relevant health information, authorised plans and responsibilities that may affect care.
Environment and sensory needs
Noise, space, movement, transitions and environmental factors that may support or overwhelm the child.
Participation and routines
Adjustments that may help the child participate in meals, play, rest and group experiences.
Information Families Should Share
Clear and relevant information helps the service make a more informed assessment. Families should not minimise important needs out of concern that the placement may be declined.
Helpful information
- The child’s strengths and interests
- Communication preferences
- Daily routines and comfort strategies
- Known triggers or safety concerns
- Health, dietary or medication requirements
- Current professional or family support strategies
What the service may consider
- The educator’s experience and capacity
- The physical care environment
- The ages and needs of other children attending
- Whether reasonable adjustments are practical
- Any additional planning or support required
- Whether the arrangement can be sustained safely
Families should use the initial enquiry to provide a clear overview.
The service will explain how to provide sensitive documents if they
are later required.
Additional Needs Care Questions
Every child and proposed care arrangement must be considered individually.
Does my child need a formal diagnosis?
Families should discuss the child’s actual needs and support requirements. The service may request relevant information where it is necessary to assess the proposed arrangement.
Will Malaika Garden guarantee a placement?
No. A placement depends on the child’s needs, educator capacity, available environment and whether the arrangement can be supported safely.
Can I meet the educator before deciding?
Families should have an opportunity to discuss the proposed arrangement and ask relevant questions before enrolment is completed.
Can care arrangements be adjusted after commencement?
Arrangements may be reviewed where the child’s needs, circumstances or available support change.
Should I send medical documents through the general form?
No. Begin with a general overview. The service will explain the appropriate process if sensitive documents are required.
Tell us what helps your child feel safe and included
Begin with a clear overview of your child’s strengths, routines, communication and support needs. Our team can explain the next steps and whether a potentially suitable arrangement may be explored.