Woodcrest State College is host to the Woodcrest Early Childhood Development Program (ECDP). An ECDP is a program the Queensland Government's Department of Education has provided for more than 40 years to support children with disability from birth to five years. ECDPs aim to support children's early learning and help develop valuable skills children need to be successful learners now and as they transition to school.
There are 102 ECDPs based at state schools throughout Queensland. In the local area they are located at Ipswich Central, Bundamba, Augusta, Acacia Ridge and here at Woodcrest State College. The nearest ECDP to your home is recommended.
You are encouraged to access either an Early Children Education Centre (Childcare) or Kindergarten program as well as ECDP, although the option is only a recommendation. These other programs allow your child to practise skills learned at ECDP in a wider social context. Children in these other settings provide excellent language models for your son or daughter.
ECDPs play a different but complementary role to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) supports, and to kindergartens.
Your child may be eligible to attend an ECDP if they have a disability (diagnosed or suspected) in one of the following six categories:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Intellectual Disability
- Physical Disability
- Hearing Impairment
- Vision Impairment
- Speech Language Impairment
You will require evidence of the diagnosis or suspected impairment for your child to attend an ECDP. Your child's paediatrician or allied health professional could provide this. ECDP staff can assist you to complete the application form. The regional office will determine if your child is eligible to attend an ECDP.
Children attending ECDP are provided with high quality early childhood intervention programs provided by specialist teachers with input from Department of Education therapists with extensive knowledge of supporting children with disability and developmental delays. Support and services will vary based on your child's individual needs.
Children aged 6 months to 3 years are eligible to attend a 2 hour Playgroup Session that facilitates networking with other parents and learning the skills and strategies required to assist each child's individual development. From 3 years of age, children attend a centre-based program for 5 hours per week. The ECDP program is run during school terms and there are no fees associated with the program.
The ECDP works collaboratively with families, your child's future school and their kindergarten or early childhood education centre to ensure your child makes a successful transition to their local school. While the Department of Education provides ECDPs, this is not considered enrolment at school.
If you have any questions related specifically to our ECDP, please email us at ECDP@woodcrestsc.eq.edu.au