At Solongo Early Intervention, our developmental education services are built on one simple belief: when children get the right support early, the difference it makes lasts a lifetime. Our developmental educators work with children and families across Melbourne to identify each child's strengths, understand their developmental needs, and put practical, evidence-based strategies in place that make a real difference at home, in childcare, and in the community.
Whether your child is navigating a diagnosis, showing signs of developmental delay, or simply struggling in ways that are hard to put into words, our team is here to help you make sense of it and move forward with confidence.
A developmental educator is aprofessionally qualified specialist who supports children with disabilities, developmental delay or complex needs to build skills across all areas of development, including communication, social interaction, self-care, play, and learning.
At Solongo, our developmental educators assess a child's development, identify any gaps that create barriers, and design targeted intervention programs that address those gaps in ways that suit the child and their family. This might involve direct work with the child, coaching parents and carers to embed strategies at home, or collaboration with kindergartens and schools to ensure support is consistent across settings.
The approach is always child-led, relationship-based, and grounded in the evidence. We draw on frameworks including the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) and other developmental and play-based methods to meet each child where they are and support steady, meaningful progress.
If your child has an NDIS plan, developmental educator NDIS supports are typically funded under Capacity Building — Supports for Daily Living or Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) funding, depending on your child's age and plan type.
Navigating the NDIS can feel overwhelming, particularly when you're also managing the day-to-day of supporting a child with additional needs. Our team at Solongo works alongside families to understand their plan, identify the right supports, and ensure every session aligns with the goals in your child's NDIS plan. We handle the paperwork and coordination so you can focus on your child.
The early years are when development happens fastest, and the window between ages two and five is particularly significant for language, social skills, and cognitive growth. Our developmental activities for 3-year-olds and younger children are designed to be engaging, playful, and purposeful.
Activities are always tailored to the child's current developmental level and interests, and may include:
Parents and carers are included wherever possible, so the skills children build in sessions carry over into everyday life at home.
Understanding the importance of early childhood intervention is key to why we prioritise these early years so deliberately. The research is clear: early, targeted support leads to significantly better outcomes across development, education, and wellbeing.
A developmental education program at Solongo is never just about the child in isolation. Families are essential partners in the process, and our approach is designed to build your confidence and capacity alongside your child's.
Our developmental education services are available in Melbourne via telehealth and in-clinic, and sit alongside our broader early intervention offer:
Whatever your starting point, we'll help you find the right path forward.
If you're wondering whether a developmental educator is the right fit for your child, the best place to start is a conversation. Contact Solongo Early Intervention to book a free initial consultation today.
A developmental educator takes a broad, holistic view of a child’s development across all domains, such as communication, social skills, play, self-care and learning. While speech pathologists focus on communication, and occupational therapists on fine motor, sensory, and daily living skills, a developmental educator looks at how these areas interact and designs programs that address the whole child. In many cases, developmental educators work alongside speech pathologists and OTs as part of a coordinated therapy team.
No. Your child does not need a formal diagnosis to work with a developmental educator at Solongo. If you have concerns about your child’s development, we can assess where they are, identify areas of need, and begin working with them straight away. Early support can be highly effective even before a formal diagnosis is in place.
Yes. Developmental educator NDIS supports are funded under Capacity Building in most plans, and under Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) funding for children under seven. If your child doesn’t yet have an NDIS plan, our team can help you understand the access process.
Sessions with young children are play-based, child-led and designed to feel natural rather than clinical. The developmental activities we use for 3-year-olds and younger children are matched to your child’s interests and current developmental level, building specific skills in a purposeful way. Parents are encouraged to be involved so that strategies carry into everyday routines at home.
Common reasons families seek developmental education support include delays in communication, difficulty with social interaction, challenges following routines, limited play skills, or a general sense that your child is developing differently from their peers. If any of these sound familiar, you don’t need to wait for a referral or a diagnosis to reach out.
If you’re seeking Certified ESDM Early Intervention services in Melbourne,
contact Solongo Early Intervention. Contact us today to schedule a Free
Consultation Session or to learn more about how we can support your
child’s developmental journey.
We are thrilled to embark on this journey with you and your child. Our Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) therapy is designed to provide individualized support, fostering your child’s development and enhancing their social and communication skills.
To get started, please fill out the registration form below. Your input will help us tailor our approach to meet your child’s unique needs effectively. We look forward to partnering with you on this transformative path towards growth and progress.
