Sylvanvale's Early Learning & Education Service provides a broad spectrum of support and services for children with a disability aged 0 to 6 years and their families. These services support young children to be active family and community members through the provision of therapies, early intervention, education and play based activities and opportunities to interact with peers. Services also support and empower families through via training, information, referral and support.

The service has a family centred and strengths based approach to the delivery of services to children and their families. All families accessing services have individual plans, which are developed according the families goals. Services include:

supported playgroup

The supported playgroup program provides a purposeful play and learning environment in which parents become the facilitator for their child's learning during the group and in the home environment. The playgroup focuses on strategies for skill development and is targeted at supporting children with developmental delays. Children do not require a formal diagnosis to attend the group.

The playgroup is coordinated by a special educator with support from an occupational therapist and speech pathologist. Staff provide practical demonstrations of strategies that may be used within the group, at home or while attending child care. Playgroup also provides opportunities for networking between families and social skills development in children.

The group operates on a Wednesday morning during school terms at Southern Sydney Trusted Care, 248 The Boulevarde, Miranda.

early play class

The early play class is a centre-based play program for young children aged 0-three years with moderate to high support needs. The program is play based and focuses on exploration of the environment through play. Through the provision of equipment and highly trained staff, experiences and activities are adapted to meet the needs of the children in the group. Throughout the program the child's individual education goals are targeted according to the families' goals. The class operates on a Thursday and Friday from the Mikarie Place early intervention service.

preschool class

The preschool class is a centre-based program providing an intensive preschool service to children aged three to four years with moderate to high support needs. The program replicates preschool programs provided in mainstream centres, while also providing specialised early intervention services.

The program works from a play based, emergent curriculum, which is based on the child's interests and the educational goals from each families' individual plan.

The class operates Monday – Friday from the Mikarie Place early intervention service, with an autism specific group operating Monday and Tuesday and a multiple disability group operating Wednesday to Friday.

transition class

The transition class is specifically for children aged four to six years that are preparing to transition into formal schooling in the next year or two. The program incorporates aspects of the Board of Studies early stage one curriculum and focuses on preparing children for the structured school environment. Within the program the children's individual goals will be targeted as identified by the families' goals for the child.

The class operates Monday – Friday from the Mikarie Place early intervention service, with an autism specific group operating Monday and Tuesday and a multiple disability group operating Wednesday to Friday.

All centre-based programs are staffed by highly skilled, trained and experienced staff. Due to the high needs of children in the programs the numbers of children is limited to six children per class, with two staff per class. Children enrolled in the centre-based programs also have access to therapy services including occupational therapy, speech therapy and exercise therapy.

to find out more

For further details on any of the above services contact the Manager of Children's Services on (02) 8536 0100 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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