SNAP! Program
What it is
The Support Network At Preschool Program (SNAP!) provides a transdisciplinary support service by allocating a ‘Key Worker’ to your family and child who acts as a vital bridge in sharing information, ideas, techniques and strategies between and among other professionals (eg Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapis, Psychologist, Paediatrician etc).
Your Key Worker also provides support, resources and training for our Teaching Team to ensure that each staff member is equipped to implement the optimal developmental program for your child.
This service is easy to access and navigate as your child’s needs change and ensures that everyone in the team around your child understands the big picture and is implementing targeted, consistent, effective techniques to ensure positive outcomes are achieved at every turn.
By linking all these services together your Key Worker supports you in monitoring your child’s needs and development holistically, thus ensuring that each professional understands the goals and milestones that are a priority for your child in family life, the community of preschool and the transition to Kindergarten when that time comes.
WHY we offer this service:
After observing the ‘Key Worker model’ in action through other providers we were soon frustrated with the limitations of the service. We found that often the Key Worker had less experience and qualifications than our Teaching Team, and far less contact with the child and family than we have. The contracted time of 1-2 hours a week included travel time and information seeking conversations with our tram, so the child usually only received 30 mins of targeted time with the Key Worker each week.
Following these sessions we would be provided with a brief report of activities ‘done’ with the child and struggle to see how any of that work could impact on the broader needs of the child and family articulated goals.
Our Key Worker is a valued member of the Teaching Team and fully funded by the Preschool, NOT the child’s NDIS funding. She attends all staff meetings where each child is discussed, models teaching techniques and strategies to the Team, interacts with the children – observing their play, social interactions, transitions, emotional regulation etc. Our Key Worker participates in language, music and art sessions. She can also ‘catch up’ with parents in the mornings and afternoons to questions, celebrations, concerns can be discussed immediately.
Our Key Worker, Shoshana Gliksman, has a Master of Special Needs Teaching and has been immersed in the Teaching Team at Eungai Preschool for over 7 years and is now employed as our Inclusion Support Specialist.
The SNAP! Program significantly enhances the opportunities for significant and inclusive support for your child, maximising the potential for real change and development.