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Preschool Field Officer Service (PSFOS)

The Preschool Field Officer Service provides consultancy to kindergarten teachers and parents to facilitate the inclusion of all children into state funded kindergarten programs, whether in community kindergartens or Child Care centres.

About the Preschool Field Officer Service

PSFOs support families and kindergarten staff to support the inclusion of children with a range of needs. PSFOs are highly qualified early childhood professionals specialising in early childhood education and early childhood development.

People who can access the service?

Any family with a child attending a state funded kindergarten program or a teacher working in a state funded kindergarten program can access the service in the following municipalities

Eastern Region:

Whitehorse and Maroondah

Southern Region:

Glen Eira, Port Phillip, Stonnington, Bayside, Kingston, Frankston, Mornington Peninsula

How the PSFO Service works

A referral can be made by a parent, a kindergarten teacher or by another professional person working with the child and family. Referral forms can be obtained from kindergartens or from Connections offices.

Once a referral has been received the PSFO meets with the family and teacher and observes the child in the kindergarten. The PSFO may offer one or more of the following:

Advice and ongoing support to teachers and parents with regard to children with additional needs
Observation and screening of children within kindergartens
Assistance with developing individual programs for children
Consultation with parents and referral to specialist children’s services as required
Liaison and consultation with community services and other early childhood professionals
Assistance with the process for children requiring a second year at kindergarten
Advocacy on behalf of children and their families
Parent education groups
Professional development programs
Small short term targeted groups for children and their parents

How clients can benefit from the service

Parents are given advice and support when they have queries about their children. PSFOs provide consultancy to teachers about learning, development, programming and access to other early childhood services.

How this service benefits the community

Benefits include inclusion of all children into local community services. Planned transition to school from kindergartens for all children. Support and guidance for families and teachers in line with current research and best practice. Current research tells us that early support and guidance to young children and families is of long term benefit to the community.