Can:Do 4Kids provides an occupational therapy service that strengthens educator capability and increases children’s participation in daily routines, play, and learning.

The service supports preschools and children in the following areas:

• Following daily preschool routines, including arrivals, transitions, group times, and pack up
• Developing skills to wait, take turns, share, and participate positively with peers
• Building emotional regulation skills such as staying calm, coping with change, managing big feelings, and rejoining activities
• Improving attention, listening, and ability to follow instructions during group activities
• Supporting independence in daily living skills including mealtimes, dressing, sleep, and toileting
• Developing fine and gross motor skills such as using cutlery, drawing, cutting, ball skills, balance, and coordination

Support is delivered at a whole of preschool and targeted group level, with strategies embedded into existing routines to avoid increasing educator workload.

Using a strengths based approach, occupational therapists work alongside educators to understand children function across the preschool day. Educators are supported through modelling, coaching, and collaborative planning to embed practical strategies into daily routines. This routines focused approach ensures support is practical, sustainable, and experienced across the whole day, strengthening educator confidence while improving participation for all children.

Expected outcomes for this program are:

• Increased educator capability to identify and reduce participation barriers across routines, learning environments, and activities
• Increased confidence embedding strengths based strategies within existing preschool routines
• Improved child participation, regulation and independence across play, learning, transitions and self care, supporting AEDC outcomes
• Improved inclusive and access for children with diverse development support needs

This occupational therapy support is delivered through a flexible model that embeds strategies into everyday preschool routines and educator practice. Delivery is tailored to each service’s context, priorities, and cohort needs, with a strong focus on sustainability and minimising additional workload for educators.

The service is typically delivered over 5 to 10 one?hour onsite sessions, with hybrid options where appropriate. Support includes Tier 1 universal strategies for whole groups and Tier 2 targeted strategies for priority cohorts, aligned with Preschool Boost requirements.

Occupational therapists work alongside educators within the natural flow of the preschool day, focusing on routines such as arrival, transitions, group learning, indoor and outdoor play, mealtimes, toileting, pack up, and classroom responsibilities. Strategies are embedded into existing routines so participation is supported consistently across the day.

Delivery includes routines?based observation and collaborative planning, short co?taught group activities, in?class educator coaching, and environmental and curriculum adjustments. Practical tools such as visual supports, routine plans, and simple checklists remain with the service to support ongoing use.

Progress is monitored using routine?level indicators aligned to AEDC domains. Supports are adjusted or faded as educator confidence and capability increase, ensuring benefits continue beyond the service delivery period.

Cost: $195 per hour (ex GST). Delivered in blocks of 5 or 10 one?hour sessions. Tier 1 or Tier 2 programs cost $975 for 5 sessions or $1,950 for 10 sessions (ex GST). Travel is charged at $195 per hour based on travel time from the nearest hub. No planned price increase for 2027.