“…..a specialised early years site for children with disabilities and complex communication needs."

We make Early Learning Fun!

Enrol your child today!

Children who are in their Eligible Preschool year attend the equivalent of fifteen hours per week for the year. Children can attend early entry for one full day per week for one term prior to their Preschool year. There is opportunity for children to have a dual enrolment. A child may be enrolled in both their local preschool and The Briars if it is deemed to be in the best interest of the child and at the discretion of the Director.

About Us

Acknowledged as a centre of expertise, The Briars operates the only stand-alone specialised preschool in Australia with a focus on communication.  It is a unique service dedicated to the education of children with additional rights who all have complex communication needs. 

For children with invasive health care needs, the Access Assistant Program is available. Although there are no therapy sessions onsite, teachers work closely with therapists and speech pathologists to ensure the best outcome for children.

The preschool is engineered for communication and the development of communication skills is deeply embedded in the curriculum

About Us

Acknowledged as a centre of expertise, The Briars operates the only stand-alone specialised preschool in Australia with a focus on communication.  It is a unique service dedicated to the education of children with additional rights who all have complex communication needs. 

For children with invasive health care needs, the Access Assistant Program is available. Although there are no therapy sessions onsite, teachers work closely with therapists and speech pathologists to ensure the best outcome for children.

The preschool is engineered for communication and the development of communication skills is deeply embedded in the curriculum

Our Values

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The Briars Preschool values:

  •  high quality preschool education
  •  a safe, responsive learning environment
  • the right of all children to an education that ensures they achieve their full potential
  • a staff team that nurtures and respects the special skills, talents and individual needs of each child
  • a dynamic curriculum that is adapted and modified to suit individual needs
  • children’s independence and fosters self-help skills
  • a partnership with parents, families and support staff
  • a staff team who have a commitment to continuous  improvement in all areas of curriculum provision and reporting
  • open and honest evaluation and reporting to families on their child’s achievements and attainment of goals

                               

transport Information

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Transport Assistance is a targeted  service organised by  the  Department for Education (DfE) to support  children  and  students  with  disabilities  to  attend   specialised preschools and schools.  For children under the age of 6, transport assistance takes the form of Car allowance — a payment paid to families and carers each term to assist them with the costs of transporting their child. Currently funding for transport is funded through the N.D.I.S.  Families wishing to apply for transport support must provide to The Briars, a copy of their current N.D.I.A. plan showing DfE In-kind transport is included. At the end of each term The Briars will complete a claim form, including days attended, which will be required to be signed. This is processed by DfE and payment is made directly into the family’s bank account.

Our

Curriculum

The curriculum provided is based on the Early Years Learning Framework.  Individual Learning Plans are developed taking into consideration the needs of each child.

 It is developed by:

  • Utilising a strong, experienced and responsible staff team that work flexibly with a commitment to the children and families that they serve, and to their own personal professional growth
  • Working in partnership with children’s families
  • Establishing a collaborative approach when working with  inter/intra agencies to ensure a balanced yet dynamic   curriculum focused on a play based learning setting, ensuring a multi-disciplinary team response
  • Ensuring smooth transitional pathways which are negotiated when  children enter and exit with support    requirements discussed and agreed upon
  • Ensuring that all children have a Negotiated Education Plan which  is reviewed regularly within an agreed time frame.

Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)

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The Briars uses the EYLF, the mandated national early years curriculum which is adjusted for children to access every learning opportunity at their individual entry points. All children have individual goals and Negotiated Education Plans (NEP).

Alternative Augmentative Communication (AAC)

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The site is engineered so that all learning opportunities have a communication system. Children are offered a range of AAC, whether it be low-tech or high-tech.

The AAC resources range from simple symbols to a highly sophisticated device called an Accent which is programmed with MINSPEAK. Single message voice output devices (VOCA, like Big Points), multiple message devices (Big Macs, Step by Step and Supertalkers) are also used.

Move to Learn

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The Move to Learn Program provides children with learning opportunities through music and movement.  Move to Learn is an internationally recognised program involving a sequence of strategically designed movements that help children integrate their primitive reflexes and develop body and spatial awareness.  Founded in 1987 this specialised program has been shown to dramatically improve a child’s capacity and readiness for learning.  The Briars Move to Learn Program runs daily and is individually adjusted to the needs of each child.  It is highly engaging, energetic and motivating for all involved.

During these sessions children are supported to develop the following skills: Movement to Music, Fluidity, Body awareness, Spatial awareness, Fine motor strength and co-ordination, Gross motor strength and co-ordination

Families have access to an ‘At home Move to Learn kit.’ The kit includes: USB with songs, Song list and lyrics,Small bean bag

An outline of the sequence of movements with explicit instructions on how to complete the movements and what skills to focus on

DIR/Floortime

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DIR®/Floortime is a Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-Based Model that focuses on promoting development by encouraging children to interact with parents and others through play.  Evidence in support of the DIR model is derived from over 50 years of study and research from the fields of psychology, medicine, and education, and aims to further develop a child’s communication, sensory processing, and motor development. 

Central to this approach is Floortime®, a large amount of child led play between an adult and child, usually occurring on the floor.  These experiences allow an adult to share joint attention, follow the child’s lead and ideas and tune in to a rhythm and sense of connectedness, whilst considering the child’s individual differences and their unique sensory profile. 

With two certified teachers onsite all Briars educators are strongly committed to and use the DIR model to help support a child across all areas of their development.

Contact

The Briars Preschool

Director: Gordon Combes

Phone: (08) 8365 9808

Fax: (08) 8365 9818

Email: The.Briars299@schools.sa.edu.au

Address:
5 Briar Road
Felixstow, SA, 5070

Partnership: Campbell

Education Office: Felixstow

The Briars Preschool

5 Briar Rd, Felixstow SA 5070

Feedback and complaints

Let us know if you have feedback or a complaint, or if you want to give us a compliment. Feedback is valuable as it helps us shape our services to meet your needs.

Raising a complaint with the Department for Education

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