Our Services

Inclusive and appropriate education for children whose special learning needs emerge from developmental differences is the long term goal of the STaR Association

Childcare Support Program

We provide early intervention support for children with disabilities and/or special learning needs within mainstream childcare centres. This allows parents and carers to return to work and /or have some respite knowing their child’s needs are being catered for and they are being stimulated in an inclusive environment. An ongoing partnership with Macquarie University, where the early intervention procedures were developed, ensures that all programs are research-based and uphold the principals of best practice in early intervention.  Please visit Childcare Support program page for further information and fact sheets.

Family Support Program

We acknowledge that parents and carers can easily be overwhelmed by the unexpected journey they take with their unusual child/ren. Too often parents get lost in the maze of services and systems operating and simply don’t know what to do and whose advice to listen to. STaR seeks to address this through the provision practical information and resources, workshops and individual support to families and carers if they choose to access this.  Please visit Family Support program page for further information and fact sheets.

Gifted Program

Little attention is paid to young children whose development is very advanced and parents can find it difficult to talk to others about their enjoyment of their child/ren and their concerns. For this reason STaR has introduced a playgroup for families who believe their child may be gifted and enrichment program for 3-5 year olds. These operate in North – Western Sydney.  Please visit Gifted program page for further information and fact sheets.

School STaRT

School STaRT gives young children with disabilities and /or special learning needs the best possible chance of success in their new school environment. The program provides a supportive and co-ordinated transition to school process. It includes a Preparation for School Program, which aims to give the child the critical skills necessary for success in a school environment.  This is followed by a School Orientation Program which provides supported school visits to the child’s new school which allows the child to become familiar with the school routines and rules and familiarise the staff with the child’s individual needs. There is restricted funding available for this program and it is also offered on a fee for service basis.   Please visit School STaRT program page for further information and fact sheets.

Outreach Program

The STaR Outreach Program has been developed to assist children with additional needs to develop important skills and to be more successfully included in mainstream early childhood settings.  A trained special education teacher (STaR Early Intervention Support Teacher) visits the setting weekly over 10 weeks and works with early childhood staff to develop and implement an individual education plan for the child.  Therefore, to participate in this program families must secure the permission of their child’s childcare, preschool or family day care setting.  Please visit Outreach Program page for further information and fact sheets

Autism Opportunity

This multi disciplinary consortium was established to provide educational and therapy services to children aged 2-6 years with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Services include a preparation for school and school orientation program (School STaRT), speech therapy and psychology assessments. The STaR Association is the “lead agency” for Autism Opportunity.  Please visit Autism Opportunity page for further information and fact sheets.

Better Start for Children with Disability (Better Start) Initiative

This multi disciplinary consortium was established to provide educational and therapy services to children under 6 years of age who have been diagnosed with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, Fragile X syndrome, or a moderate or greater vision or hearing impairment, including deaf/blindness.   Services include a preparation for school and school orientation program (School STaRT), speech therapy and psychology assessments. The STaR Association is the “lead agency” for Better Start for Children with Disability (Better Start) Initiative.  Please visit Better Start page for further information and fact sheets.