All Victorian-funded kindergarten programs are eligible to receive PSFO service to support the access, inclusion and participation of children with additional needs in a kindergarten program. This includes children enrolled in Four-Year-Old Kindergarten, funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and Early Start Kindergarten. (Reference: Department of Education)

The PSFO program defines children with additional needs as children presenting with developmental concerns. Developmental concerns may be associated with any area of children’s development, from language delays or challenging behaviours through to children with multiple disabilities. Children with additional needs resulting from trauma are also eligible for a PSFO referral.

If a child’s development is supported by a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or early childhood intervention continuity of support provider, it is expected that the early childhood educator in consultation with the family will seek support from this provider in the first instance. Early childhood intervention professionals can provide strategies that support the child to participate meaningfully in learning experiences with their peers that are consistent with strategies being implemented across other settings where the child spends their time. ( Reference: Department of Education, Victoria)

There is no cost for Preschool Field Officer Services for all state funded kindergarten services.

PSFOs work within the context of the kindergarten program. The PSFO does not directly deliver intervention to a child within the kindergarten setting but acts as a consultant and coach to the early childhood educator. This approach may involve direct contact with the child and family in the kindergarten setting, however, this work is done in collaboration with and through the early childhood educator in a manner that respects the educator’s ongoing relationship with the child and family. The PSFO may directly observe the child in the kindergarten environment and contribute to the educator’s assessment of the child’s capabilities as well as their learning and development needs. PSFOs also assist the educator to identify and link families to a range of supports available and assist the educator’s program planning for the child in the kindergarten program.

As the PSFO service supports early childhood educators to respond to the individual needs of a child with additional needs, the early childhood educator is required to obtain informed consent from parents/guardians/carers for PSFO involvement with their child, prior to PSFO assistance.

(Department of Education, Victoria)

Parents of children in funded kindergarten programs who have concerns regarding their child’s development should discuss these with their child’s early childhood educator in the first instance. Where a parent directly contacts the PSFO program, the PSFO will liaise with the relevant educator to progress the referral.  (Department of Education, Victoria)

The PSFO capacity building approach supports kindergarten educators to:

• gain the knowledge and skills to confidently implement practices and provide programs that are responsive to the individual abilities, interests and needs of children with additional needs in an inclusive kindergarten environment
• see themselves as having both the responsibility and capability to plan for all children in the kindergarten program and that it is not only experts with specialist skills who can provide support for the learning and development of children with additional needs
• respond to parents’ concerns regarding their child’s development.

(Department of Education, Victoria)