Supporting the inclusion of children with additional needs in early childhood education and care services

Important Information

Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Services, including Outside School Hours Care, are essential services for children and families, which have continued to operate during the COVID 19 pandemic. The demand for support through the Inclusion Support Program has resulted in an unprecedented high volume of applications being submitted for Inclusion Development Fund (IDF) support. Applications are being assessed in line with the ISP Guidelines, as efficiently as possible, but unfortunately this is currently not within the usual timeframes for all streams of IDF support.  The IDFM thanks you for your patience at this time.
 

Innovative Solutions Support changes

Changes to the limits for projects approved under the IDF Innovative Solutions Stream are being introduced to manage the current demand for the Inclusion Development Fund (IDF). These changes will continue to provide equitable access to this unique and flexible funding support for all eligible Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) services, while ensuring the responsible management of available funds within the capped Inclusion Support Program.  Please use this link for further information.
 

IS Portal support

There is an online form which services can use to request assistance with specific IS Portal related issues.
Services can use the Inclusion Support contact form for help with:

• Child Care Management Software (CCMS) Credentials - User Name and Password Request
• Rejected Claim for Payment
• Issue with CCMS user names and/or password
• Remittance Advice
• Change Financial Email Address 

 

IDFM help line information

The IDFM help line 1800 824 955 is currently answered between 10 am and 4 pm eastern standard time. Phone messages will be returned as soon as possible. Alternatively, please email your query to idfm@ku.com.au.
 

Inclusion Support Program (ISP)

The Inclusion Support Program (ISP) assists early childhood and child care (ECEC) services to include children with additional needs alongside their peers, through provision of tailored inclusion advice and support from Inclusion Agencies (IA) and access to funded support and specialist equipment where required.

 

The ISP consists of three key elements:

• Inclusion Agencies (IA)

  • Each state and territory has an Inclusion Agency contracted to assist eligible services to build their capacity and capability to provide and embed inclusive practice in their delivery of early learning programs. See the full list of IA providers in each state and territory.

• Inclusion Development Fund (IDF)

  • The IDF provides funding to assist eligible services to address a barrier to inclusion that cannot be addressed by the support of an IA. There are four streams of IDF funding – subsidy for an Additional Educator, Immediate/Time Limited Support, Family Day Care Top Up and Innovative Solutions. Each stream has different eligibility criteria, application processes and approved funding purposes.

• The Inclusion Development Fund Manager (IDFM)

  • KU Children’s Services in partnership with Include Me is the IDFM and is contracted to provide a nationally consistent and equitable management of the IDF.

This website provides information about the Inclusion Development Fund for IAs, ECEC services and families.

The Inclusion Support Program is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training.  For additional information, including Frequently Asked Questions, refer to the department's website.

The development of a Strategic Inclusion Plan (SIP) is the first step to accessing support from the Program, including funding through the IDF.

More About SIPs