Koorana offers a variety of services that are divided into two streams – Children’s Services and Family Services:
CHILDREN’S SERVICES
The children’s services stream of activities offers quality early childhood education and intervention programs to families living in the Inner West and South West areas of Sydney, specifically Canterbury and Bankstown. The children Services team of Special Educators, Therapists and Family Workers deliver programs through a combination of centre and home-based programs including two Preschools, Preschool Inclusion Support, Preschool Preparation, Early Connections, Playlinks, Home Based Early Learning and Therapy.
- EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Preschool
Koorana’s two preschools, in Lakemba and Roselands are for children aged 3 and over. Both preschools emphasise quality teaching and play based learning. The importance of communication and language and social and emotional development is demonstrated in programs that are based on children’s strengths, interests and relationships. The program is designed to meet the diverse needs of all children with experienced staff, skilled in facilitating their successful participation. [more]
- EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERVENTION
Koorana is funded to provide a diverse range of early intervention programs to support the learning needs of children with a developmental delay and/or disability, including autism. There are centre-based and home-based options, staffed by Special Educators and Therapists. All programs aim to work in partnership with families to deliver programs that suit each child’s strengths and needs and each family’s priorities and concerns.[more]
FAMILY SERVICES
The Family Services team assist families to navigate the disability service system and find the financial support, services and resources relevant to their needs. The team is available to provide a range of services to families including Case Management, Early Diagnosis Support and General Family Support to carers and other family members. [more]
ELIGIBILITY
Most Koorana services are available to families living within the local Government areas of Bankstown, Canterbury, Marrickville, Leichhardt, Glebe, Ashfield, Burwood, Strathfield and Canada Bay. To check your eligibility for Koorana services, please contact Koorana on 02 9750 4100 (Head Office).
MEMBERSHIP
Families who access programs and services provided by Koorana Child & Family Services become financial members of the Association. A small annual fee is charged per family, entitling members to vote at the Annual General Meeting and to have a voice in the decisions that involve the direction of the organsiation.
FEES AND FUNDING
Koorana is community owned and not for profit. Specific government funding supplements preschool fees and enables us to provide support to families who have a child with a delay and/or disability. Health care card holders enrolled in the preschool program are eligible for a reduced fee.
Koorana also receives a range of funding from government and non-government sources to deliver specific education, intervention and support programs. Services are provided, other than preschool, are low cost or fully subsidised.
Koorana is funded by:
NSW Human Services – Community Services
NSW Human Services – Ageing, Disability and Home Care
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)
Participating clubs through the CDSE scheme
Trusts and Foundations
Local Businesses and private donors
Croydon St premises supported by Canterbury City Council
