General information
In addition to the Helping Children with Autism (HCWA) package, the Government is establishing six Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres. DEEWR has responsibility for the broader commitment to establish Early Learning and Care Centres in 38 priority locations. The Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres will provide early learning programs and specific support for children aged zero to six years with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) in a long day care setting. They will also provide parents with support in the care of their children and give them the opportunity to participate more fully in the community. Through their affiliations with universities or hospitals, the centres will have a research and workforce training component which will help achieve a better understanding of ASDs and increase workforce capacity.
An Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre will be established in each of the following locations:
- South Western Sydney
- Brisbane
- Adelaide
- North West Tasmania
- Melbourne, and
- Perth.
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The service providers of the six centres are:
Melbourne - The La Trobe University Margot Prior Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre
La Trobe University in partnership with the Royal Children's Hospital is extending the existing state-of-the-art La Trobe University Community Children's Centre to accommodate an Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre. The centre will be opening in June 2010. Enrolment enquiries should be directed to Jenny Reynolds, Manager, Family and Children's Services, La Trobe University. Please contact Jenny Reynolds by email or phone 0394792122.
Adelaide - The Daphne Street Child Care and Specialist Early Learning Centre
Anglicare SA Inc, in partnership with the Autism Association of South Australia and Flinders University, is refurbishing Anglicare's existing child care centre in Prospect, Adelaide to accommodate an Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre. This centre opened in June 2009. Enrolment enquiries should be directed to Shaneen Renshaw, Manager, Anglicare SA. Please contact Shaneen Renshaw by email or phone (08)8269 8688.
South Western Sydney - The KU Marcia Burgess Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre
KU Children's Services, in partnership with the Benevolent Society, Sydney South West Area Health Service and the University of New South Wales are establishing an Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre on the same site as KU Children's Services' existing child care centre at Woodward Park, Liverpool. This centre will be opening in June 2010. Enrolment enquiries should be directed to Margaret Gorham, Program Manager, KU Children's Services Marcia Burgess ASELCC.
Please contact by email KU Marcia Burgess Autism ; phone (02) 92683911 or 0437 966 473.
Brisbane - The Queensland Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre - AEIOU for children with autism
AEIOU for children with autism, in partnership with Griffith University, will establish an Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre at Griffith University's Nathan Campus. This centre will be opening in February 2010. Enrolment enquiries should be directed to Debbie Burtenshaw, Education and Enrolment Coordinator AEIOU – for children with autism. Please contact by email Debbie Burtenshaw or phone (07) 3802 0621.
Perth - The Autism Association (WA) Jellybeans Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre
The Autism Association of Western Australia (AAWA), in partnership with Jellybeans Child Care and the Curtin University of Technology, is refurbishing an existing Jellybeans Child Care Centre in Warwick, Western Australia, to accommodate an Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre. This centre will be opening in February 2010. Enrolment enquiries should be directed to Vicki Larkens, Manager, WA ASELCC project, Autism Association of Western Australia. Please contact by email Vicki Larkens or phone (08) 9489 8900.
Tasmania - The Burnie City Council
The Burnie City Council will be the provider of the Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre in North West Tasmania. The Burnie City Council will expand the Alexander Beetle House Children's Centre to accommodate the new centre's main campus. The centre will also provide satellite services across the North West region of Tasmania and will be operational from June 2010. Enrolment enquiries should be directed to Michelle Filz, Project Officer, Burnie City Council. Please contact Michelle Filz by email or phone (03) 6430 5727.
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More information
For more information regarding the Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres:
- phone 1800 289 177
- if you are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment, you can use the National Relay Service to contact any of FaHCSIA's listed phone numbers.
Questions and Answers regarding the Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres are available on this website.
For information on the Early Learning and Care Centres, visit the Office of Early Childhood Education and Child Care Centres website.