2014 - the beginning!

Welcome to 2014 - a year full of hope, anticipation, and achieving goals.
For SCAN, the notification that we are to continue as a support for Preschools has been the best starting point for the year.  As mentioned in emails from Project Officers, there continues to be a great deal of deliberation over the allocation of funds to best address inclusive practice with relation to your individual applications.  The new SCAN Guidelines are being implemented providing a benchmark for equity and fairness with regards the allocations.

Whilst every effort has been made to provide you with the financial support requested, even with the guidelines in place, we are also limited by the budget and processing timelines. In this context, we have several children on waitlists, and several Exceptional Circumstances waitlisted.  Some preschools are yet to be notified as to their allocations due to the SCAN project notification delay. Please don't feel disheartened if any of this relates to you.  SCAN Project Officers are committed to visiting and supporting you through provision of strategies, mentoring, resources, and networking for professional and parental/carer collaborative practice.  Funding will also be reviewed at regular intervals throughout Term 1 and 2, with every effort being made to make sure inclusive practice supports are available to you.

Please remember that all children are special and come with a number of needs - some quirkier, more physical, or more urgent than others. Your Preschool families and inclusive support services and networks are your best allies.  Find out the strengths and 'favourite things' for every child early on.  Enable families to talk to you about their child - what works for them, what doesn't.   Provide a starting block for every child - expectations, what the routine will look like, images and visits where appropriate. For some, having a take home booklet will be the best support imaginable - who's who, what's where, and how we do things is for the children, not just the families. Assume competence - you may need to customise your environment or program to enable this to shine through. Above all else, have fun, and enjoy knowing that you are providing the foundation for the future.  See you soon!