The ISP promotes inclusive practice in Early Childhood and Child Care (ECCC) services
Project implemented: 1 July 2016
Supporting ECCC services to include children with additional needs alongside their typically developing peers
Supporting inclusion of children with additional needs and the work/training choices of parents or carers benefits the Australian community and economy
The SIP is a self-guided inclusion assessment and planning tool that formalizes program support, including funding
A web-based application, the IS Portal facilitates ECCC services’ interaction with the ISP
The department manages both the IDFM and IA contracts
Four funding streams: Additional Educator; Immediate/Time-Limited Support; Family Day Care Top Up; Innovative Solutions
An evaluation of ISP, as part of the new Child Care Package evaluation will be complete by 30 June 2019
In the 2018-19 Budget, the Australian Government committed $550 million over four years to the ISP, which supports ECCC Services via two key elements.
Seven Inclusion Agencies (IAs) across eight states and territories assist ECCC services to build their capacity and capability to provide and embed inclusive practice and address barriers to inclusion experienced by children with additional needs.
Where inclusion barriers are identified that cannot be resolved through IA support alone, additional support may be provided via the ISP Inclusion Development Fund (IDF) and/or Specialist Equipment Library.