School & Life
Starting school and the following years is an exciting time!
Plumtree partners with you so your child thrives in school and life.
Contact us to learn about creating your package.
A positive start
Priorities change for families when their child nears school age and in the following years. Goals usually include a successful start at the new school, learning together with classmates, and developing independence at home and in the community.
Plumtree partners with you so that you and your child are prepared when Term 1 begins and beyond. Our School & Life program focuses on three areas:
School & Life program focuses on three areas:
- Transition to school
- Support at school
- Home and community support
We collaborate with you on goals such as:
- Sharing your child’s strengths and needs with the school
- Learning and participating in routines
- Building friendships
- Becoming independent and making choices
- Joining community activities
Explore our programs below
Transition to school
Planning a successful start at school
Goals and priorities change for families during this exciting time. A good transition involves preparation and planning. When we work with you in this area, your child is better supported to have a successful start and thrive in the new setting. Before the big day and in the first term, we can explore:
- Developing and working on goals and first steps
- Sharing information about your child’s strengths and needs with the school
- Organising and coordinating a successful transition
- Collaborating with the school team
- Planning your Term 1 sessions.
How we work with you
Plumtree’s transition to school support package differs from our early childhood intervention supports. As there are now more people in your child’s life, we do fewer 1:1 sessions and become a consultant for nurturing these relationships. Your active participation is essential for the best outcomes.
For example, instead of therapy sessions with your child, we will meet and collaborate more with you and the school team when required to develop goals and actions. There may still be some face-to-face sessions at school with your child during Term 1, but they are focused on achieving classroom-specific goals.
We can also work on other goals that you have. They may be related to building your child’s independence, following routines or accessing the community. See our Support at school and home and community support flyers for more information.
Transition to school package
The time to start the transition to school process is different for each family. We will work with you to develop and implement a structured, individualised package.
While this program generally begins the year before primary school, preparations may start earlier if more support is needed. Speak with your keyworker or therapist for more information. We usually begin talking to families about school after a child turns 2 years old, but you are welcome to ask us anytime.
Speak with your keyworker or therapist for more information. You can also contact Cathy, manager of the Family Centred Practice team: cathyw@plumtree.org.au or 02 9572 8840.
Flyer
Support at school
Nurturing your child’s engagement and wellbeing
Plumtree works with you, your child and your team to support success at school. Sometimes adjustments to the environment or additional resources may be needed for your child to thrive because changes are common during these years. We partner with you and the school for your child to:
- Participate in routines
- Learn alongside other children in the classroom and playground
- Build independence
- Make friends
How we work with you
Plumtree’s Support at school package is different to our early childhood intervention support. As your child is older and has more people in their life, priorities change.
We start by meeting with you to talk about goals and plan how to achieve them. While the family has the main relationship with the school, we are here to assist as a part of the team around your child.
There are fewer 1:1 therapy sessions, as our therapists work with you and the school team to support your child’s learning with other children in the classroom and playground. We continue to consult with you online or via email or phone calls to stay on track with goals.
What does school support look like?
We support school-aged children by:
- Building relationships with families
- Building respectful partnerships with the school
- Promoting positive relationships and collaboration between the school and families
- Integrating home and school goals
- Building family skills and confidence in navigating the education and NDIS systems
We collaborate with schools to support inclusion by:
- Adjusting the environment
- Assisting with access to the curriculum
- Developing learning resources as needed
- Facilitating classroom or playground activities with other children
Support at school package
Children and their families have different needs. We will work with you to develop and implement a structured, individualised package for your child’s engagement and wellbeing at school.
Speak with your keyworker or therapist for more information. You can also contact Cathy, manager of the Family Centred Practice team: cathyw@plumtree.org.au or 02 9572 8840.
Flyer
Home and community support
Building independence, relationships, and making choices
Children develop physically and emotionally as they grow in the early childhood and school age years. Plumtree works with you to set up opportunities for your child to grow and develop. At home, they can be supported with good weekday and weekend routines, school goals, and skills for self-care and independence. Support in the community can include participating in activities like sports or hobby groups and skills for building relationships and connections outside of family.
How we work with you
Plumtree’s home and community support package is different to our early childhood intervention supports. There are fewer 1:1 therapy sessions as our role changes to become a consultant.
The focus is on meetings with you to develop goals and strategies for your child to thrive in the community. We then prepare resources designed to encourage your child’s participation.
We may see your child at home or in the community to build their independence in areas such as getting dressed, gross motor activities or social skills. We can collaborate with community members to understand and enhance inclusion support.
We can visit you and your child after school or during school holidays as needed until you are accessing the community as planned.
Home and community support package
Children and their families have different needs. We will work with you to develop and implement a structured, individualised home and community support package.
Speak with your keyworker or therapist for more information. You can also contact Cathy, manager of the Family Centred Practice team: cathyw@plumtree.org.au or 02 9572 8840.
Flyer
Getting started at Plumtree
For families with NDIS funding
Plumtree is a registered NDIS provider, so you can use your NDIS funding to purchase our Plan and Do package. We understand that each family is unique, and parents know their child best. That’s why we will work with you to create a package that suit’s your child and family’s needs.
Families starting at Plumtree will receive a welcome visit and experience our innovative Pictability visioning tool. Together, we will plan a good life for the entire family and work towards achieving your NDIS plan’s goals.
You can also purchase a Plan and Do package with your private health insurance, Medicare with a plan from your GP, and privately. Get in touch to discuss other purchase options available
For families without NDIS funding
Plumtree also provides free programs and workshops for all families. You will learn new skills and strategies that have worked for other families, and connect with our passionate and knowledgeable community.
If you have concerns about your child’s development, attend one of our online playgroups or download our resources to get started right away.
You can also contact Lifestart, the NDIS Early Childhood Early Intervention Partner for the Sydney region, about accessing support through the ECEI Approach.
