31 May 2005
In a ground-breaking move, Monash University is establishing Victoria's first inclusive kindergarten that will educate high-needs children alongside typically-developing children.
The Three and Four Year Old Inclusive Kindergarten Programs will be run by the Faculty of Education's Elwyn Morey Centre -- a leading provider of early childhood intervention programs and services to young children with significant developmental delays and disabilities.
Parents of typically-developing children are being invited to enrol their children in the programs which include children who attend the Elwyn Morey Centre.
The centre's program coordinator, Ms Di Chandler, said the three-year-old kindergarten would cater for 15 children -- six with additional needs, and the four-year-old kindergarten would cater for 24 children -- eight with additional needs.
"The kindergartens will act as demonstration units to show early childhood and pre-school professionals how inclusive practices work, and how these practices can be rolled out to all kindergartens," Ms Chandler said.
Ms Chandler believes Monash's program will be Melbourne's first truly inclusive kindergarten, fitting the concept of inclusion which is increasingly accepted in the community. Inclusion is also part of the Department of Human Services' Vision for Early Childhood Services policy.
"Our inclusive kindergarten program offers Monash a chance to be at the forefront in the provision of inclusive early childhood education services.
"All the kindergarten sessions will be staffed by an early childhood educator specialising in inclusive education, two program assistants and supported by a speech pathologist."
Ms Chandler said the Clayton campus kindergarten has excellent indoor and outdoor play environments and promotes individual learning and life skills.
University staff and parents from surrounding municipalities are invited to enrol their children for the Monash kindergarten programs that will commence at the beginning of 2006.
For further information and to arrange interviews contact Ms Robyn Anns, Monash Media Communications, on +61 3 9905 9317 or 0417 568 781.
| 
