Support at Preschool

Children writing Mother and Son speaking about why preschool is important attached quote - "To me Preschool is important because it sets the foundation for learning. It is important because I know it will help Callan be ready for school" Children in classroom playing To me preschool is an essential part of Sam's development. Attending preschool helped to form solid foundationspreparing Sam for kindergarten and beyond.

Preschool is an important year for families and children. There are a range of services and support agencies that families can utilise to support their child throughout the preschool year.

Child and Family Centre

Child and Family Centres provide a range of universal services based on the needs of families in Gungahlin, West Belconnen and Tuggeranong children and their families.

At times, children and their families require additional assistance. The Child and Family Centres work closely with families to determine the additional assistance required and the best way that this can be provided across the government and the community.

The centres bring together a range of professionals from across government and community, with the aim of delivering services in a child-centered and family focused way.

Some of the services available from the ACT Government's Child and Family Centres include:

  • parenting information
  • maternal and child health clinics
  • speech pathology and physiotherapy drop in
  • clinics
  • individual work with children and families
  • relationship counselling.

ACT Government's Child and Family Centres External Link

Child Development Service

The Child Development Service is a program area of the Community Services Directorate. The Child Development Service offers assessment, referral, information and linkages for children 0-6 years where there are concerns relating to their development. CDS also provide Autism Assessments for children up to the age of 12 years when referred by a paediatrician or psychiatrist.

CDS has an Intake Service and provides Drop-In Clinics as a way for parents and other referrers to seek advice, find out if further services are necessary and where these services are available. For further information see https://www.communityservices.act.gov.au/childdevelopmentservice

Children's Policy and Regulations Unit

The Children's Policy and Regulation Unit (CPRU) - a section of the Education Directorate - administers the legislation covering approved education and care services and licensed childcare services in the ACT.

The role of the CPRU includes:

  • Providing information about education and care in the ACT to families, services and the community
  • Issuing approvals for providers, services, waivers, certified supervisors and license
  • Monitoring compliance with the Children and Young People Act 2008 and the Education and Care Services National Law (ACT) Act 2011 through announced and unannounced visits, data collection and review, targeted monitoring campaigns, and email and phone contact with services
  • Quality assessment and rating of education and care services in accordance with the National Quality Framework and
  • Investigating complaints relating to compliance with the relevant education and care law.

The CPRU is staffed by professionals with experience and qualifications in children's education and care.

Contact us:

Children's Policy and Regulation Unit
PO Box 158
Canberra ACT 2601
02 6207 1114

The Association of Parents and Friends of ACT Schools Inc.

The Association of Parents and Friends of ACT Schools Inc. (APFACTS), established in 1982 is the peak body and voice for non-government school parents and carers whose children attend Catholic and Independent schools in the ACT. As well as advocating on behalf of ACT parents on education issues, one of our aims is to support parents' capacity to positively influence students' progress through their school years.

Council of Parents and Citizens Associations

The ACT Council of Parents and Citizens Associations is the peak parent body for public schools including preschool, primary, high schools and colleges in the ACT. The Early Learning Subcommittee of Council focusses on supporting preschool parents to have an active role in their child’s early education and responding to issues confronting families of preschoolers.

Council helps P&Cs with training and resources to manage their legal obligations and insurances, and to build enduring, supportive parent organisations that are also able to make submissions to the ACT and Commonwealth governments on behalf of public school parents.

Council has merged with the Canberra Preschool Society (CPS) bringing over 75 years of history supporting ACT pre-schoolers and their families to Council.