Services

Services

Preschool & preschool support

Preschools

Children with significant hearing and vision impairment (including those with additional disabilities) can attend RIDBC preschools at:

  • Nepean (Penrith)
  • North Rocks (Sydney)
  • Hunter (Newcastle)

Children aged 4.5 years and above with multiple disabilities can also attend the RIDBC Alice Betteridge School.

RIDBC preschools provide innovative programs for children aged 3-5 years.

They are largely reverse integration preschools. This means they also enrol children from local communities, without disabilities. These children are able to act as language and play models for their peers.

Since families play a strong part in children’s preschool education, members are welcome to be part of the program at any time.

To make an enquiry about RIDBC preschools, contact us online or phone (02) 9871 1233.

The program

The programs at RIDBC preschools are designed to foster children’s social and emotional development, and to enhance their initiative, self-esteem and independence.

Whilst deafblindness is rare, there are some RIDBC specialist staff who are skilled at working with children with dual sensory impairment.

Parents are an integral part of the preschool program and are kept up-to-date with their child’s progress. Families enrich the program by sharing special skills, interests and knowledge with the children.

Features

The physical environment of our preschools has been carefully designed to cater for (but not overprotect) children with vision impairment (and multiple disabilities).

Outside are sensory playgrounds, with features such as paths with raised, contrasting edgeways suitable for canes or children with low vision.

Indoors areas feature contrasting surfaces to help orientate those with low vision, and features such as raised lips on kitchen benches to prevent things from falling.

Preschool support

As part of the RIDBC Early Learning Program, RIDBC also supports mainstream preschools that enrol a child with dual sensory impairment.

Our specialist teaching staff visit mainstream preschools, providing staff and parents with advice on the best way to assist children.

To enquire about RIDBC’s preschool support service, contact us on (02) 9871 1233.

For more information, see: