Welcome to ISA

The Inclusion Support Agency Sunshine Coast is an initiative of the Inclusion and Professional Support Program. It is funded by the Australian Government and Sponsored by the Sunshine Coast Family Link Scheme Inc.

ISASC aims:

• to support the capacity building of ECEC services to create an inclusive
  environment for all children and families that supports their well being
  and development.
• to build the capacity of eligible child care services to include children who
  require additional support to access mainstream child care services
• to promote and maintain high quality care and inclusion for all eligible child
  care services through increasing the skill level of educators

We provide all eligible child care services with access to a range of practical supports and assistance.

Inclusion Support is FREE to eligible Australian Government Approved Child Care Services including:

The Inclusion and Professional Support Program aims to build the capacity of eligible child care services to include children from the following priority groups who require additional support to access mainstream child care services:

It is recognised that some of these children will have multiple additional needs.

ISASC Philosophy:

”All children under the sun have the right to care and education that supports their development, culture and individual needs.  ISASC will promote and support high quality child care and inclusion for all children. We aim to support the capacity building of ECEC services to create an inclusive environment for all children and families that supports their well being and development.

 We

• Support services to work in collaboration with families and support networks.
• Support services to develop, implement and sustain flexible, inclusive practice that has cultural integrity. 
• Assist services to engage in reflective, ongoing quality improvement of practice.
• Strengthen relationships by recognising and valuing diversity in the community”.

We achieve this through a focus on supporting ECEC’s services to create environments which, at their heart, foster a sense of belonging for families.

Our philosophy and objectives align seamlessly with IPSP’s - supporting ECEC settings to advocate for, and increase their capacity to provide, education and care based on the needs of all children in an inclusive environment and promote access and equity for all.

"Early childhood inclusion embodies the values, policies, and practices that support the right of every infant and young child and his or her family, regardless of ability, to participate in a broad range of activities and contexts as full members of families, communities, and society. The desired results of inclusive experiences for children with and without disabilities and their families include a sense of belonging and membership, positive social relationships and friendships, and development and learning to reach their full potential. The defining features of inclusion that can be used to identify high quality early childhood programs and services are access, participation, and supports."

Division for Early Childhood (DEC) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) 2009

Acknowledge Statement:

“The people who do their work from this place respectfully acknowledge this countries elders past present and future. We do so through our hearts minds spirit actions and words. We joyfully and respectfully acknowledge the Gubbi Gubbi people of the Sunshine Coast. We thank them for their custodianship of the Land Rivers and Sea.”

ISA Sunshine Coast is an initiative of the Inclusion and Professional Support Program, funded by the Dept of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, and sponsored by Sunshine Coast Link Family Scheme Inc