Learning support for young children
Help is available for young children with learning support needs.
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If you’re concerned about your baby, toddler, or pre-schooler’s learning or development, help is available. These services are government funded and free.
Child Development Services
Child Development Services (CDS) are community-based service teams that work alongside children, their families or whānau. Their goal is to support your child’s development so they can reach their full potential. Child Development Services are provided by Disability Support Services.
CDS teams usually include a range of professionals, such as:
neurodevelopment therapists
physiotherapists
social workers
speech–language therapists
occupational therapists
psychologists
cultural support workers
dietitians.
CDS teams also work with other service providers, such as education services, Needs Assessment Service Coordination providers (NASCs), and equipment and modification service providers.
To access a CDS you’ll need a referral from your general practitioner (GP), Well Child nurse, NASC, or Enabling Good Lives (EGL) site.
Ministry of Education – Early Intervention Service
The Ministry of Education’s Early Intervention Service (EIS) provides learning support for young children with additional developmental, communication, or behavioral needs from birth up until the end of Year 1 at school. There is also the Early Intervention Specialist Service (EISS) for children who have high and complex needs
If you have concerns about your child’s learning and think they may need EIS support, chat with your child’s kaiako (teacher). Your child’s early childhood education centre, kindergarten, or school can make a request for EIS support but they need your consent.
From there, an Early Intervention Specialist Team works with your child’s teacher to put together and implement a support plan. An Early Intervention Specialist Team may include:
an early intervention teacher
a speech-language therapist
a psychologist
advisers on Deaf children
health professionals.
Learn more about the Early Intervention Service
If your child does not attend an early learning service
If you child isn’t going to an early childhood education centre or kindergarten yet, the Ministry of Education can support you at home. They can also support you in finding a suitable early learning service for your child.
Contact your local Ministry of Education Office
Incredible Years
Incredible Years is a parenting programme delivered by a range of organisations across New Zealand to support child development. It’s a 14-session course where you can meet other parents, share ideas, and gain practical skills to support your child.
There are three versions of the programme for parents:
Incredible Years Toddler Parenting Programme – for parents and caregivers of children aged 1 to 3 who want to encourage their child’s language, social and emotional development.
Incredible Years Parenting Programme – for parents and caregivers of children aged 3 to 8 who are showing developmental delays or tricky behaviours at home.
Incredible Years Autism Parenting Programme – designed for parents of kids aged 2 to 5 with autistic traits.
Find out more about Incredible Years
To register for Incredible Years, contact your local Ministry of Education office, who will be able to provide more information about the programme in your region.