Kaleidoscope
Early identification, access & inclusion
Helping children with developmental delays access early intervention
Kaleidoscope is a free program designed to help families with young children (8 years and under) who may be showing signs of developmental delay. We partner with trusted community organisations, schools and childcare services to identify children early and connect families to the right supports.
Guiding families to the right support
Our team of highly skilled Allied Health Therapists (Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists and Psychologists) provide up to 20 hours of support to help families navigate developmental concerns, link into funded and non-funded services and build a community of support around their child.
In collaboration with our partner organisations, the Kaleidoscope team will travel to regional and remote areas of Western Australia to deliver customised training for childcares, local organisations and families, based on the needs of each individual community.
This program is proudly supported by the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation and its core values of compassion, collaboration, empowerment and sustainability underpin every aspect of Kaleidoscope.
If you’re worried about how your child plays, moves, eats, socialises or communicates, Kaleidoscope can help by providing assessment, guidance and connections to the right supports for your family.
Read our FAQs below to learn more about the program and how you can get support.
Connecting families and communities
Kaleidoscope is proud to collaborate with leading community and education partners who share our vision of supporting children as early as possible. Through these partnerships, we connect with families in trusted environments. This includes parenting programs, childcare centres and schools to identify developmental concerns early and link families to the right supports.
This collaborative approach recognises that screening, diagnosis and treatment cannot function effectively in isolation (as they do now). We’re fostering a coordinated pathway where families, educators and healthcare professionals share knowledge and expertise and work in partnership throughout a child’s developmental journey.
Together, we’re building stronger, more inclusive communities where every child can thrive.
Our partners
NGALA
Parenting Connection WA
Westminster Education Support Centre
Beldon Education Support Centre
Together, we make early support possible
Community-driven, family-focused and grounded in collaboration. This approach reflects the Stan Perron value of collaboration: Working hand in hand with others to create lasting impact.
Parenting Connection WA: Parenting Connection WA team with Kylie Mason (NGALA)
NGALA team from left to right: Michelle Allan, Cindy Davies, Hannah Jackson, Chris Hanna and Michelle Dillon
Referrals
We prioritise referrals for partner organisations, however you can submit a referral form and our team will get back to you.
From needed
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kaleidoscope program?
Kaleidoscope is a sponsored program designed to help families with young children (0–6 years) who may be showing signs of developmental delay. We partner with trusted community organisations, schools and childcare services to identify children early and connect families to the right supports. There are 2 program pathways:
- Family support pathway: Our team of highly skilled Allied Health Therapists (Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, and Psychologists) provide up to 20 hours of support to help families navigate developmental concerns, link into funded and non-funded services and build a community of support around their child.
- Regional training pathway: In collaboration with our partner organisations, our Kaleidoscope team will travel to regional and remote areas of Western Australia to deliver customised training for childcares, local organisations and families based on the needs of each individual community.
How is Kaleidoscope different from the Wanslea Early Years Program?
Kaleidoscope works at the very start of the journey with families who may not yet realise their child has developmental delays or who are unsure how to access help.
We partner with NGALA, Parenting Connection WA, Westminster ESC, Beldon ESC and other community organisations. Many families first engage with these partners to access general supports such as parent groups, childcare, coaching or community services.
During this trusted relationship, it may become clear that a child is experiencing developmental delays. In these moments, Kaleidoscope steps in to work alongside the partner organisation and the family. Together, we provide a soft landing, supporting the family in a safe and familiar setting, assessing the child broadly and helping activate the right pathways to early support.
Kaleidoscope builds the bridge and provides a safe starting point before families reach Wanslea.
The Wanslea Early Years Program provides ongoing NDIS-funded early intervention once children meet eligibility criteria.
How does Kaleidoscope support vulnerable families?
Many families face barriers to accessing help. They may feel isolated, overwhelmed or unsure where to start. Some families are also navigating additional challenges such as:
- Financial hardship
- Geographic isolation
- Parents or carers living with disability or mental health concerns
- Limited support networks
- Previous negative experiences with services
Kaleidoscope provides a soft landing for these families, ensuring they are not left to navigate a confusing and stressful system alone. By working in partnership with local organisations, we help families feel safe and supported, while gently guiding them towards the right interventions for their child.
How does Kaleidoscope work with partner organisations?
Partner organisations such as childcare centres, parent and child centres and parent support programs are often the first point of contact for families as they move from home into the community. These staff may be the first to notice a child is not meeting developmental milestones. Hidden disabilities and delays can be hard to identify and staff may feel uncertain about how to raise these concerns with families.
Kaleidoscope works alongside these organisations by:
- Supporting staff to feel confident having early conversations with families
- Providing additional allied health expertise to identify developmental concerns in a safe and respectful way
- Customised training and support for staff and families
- Sharing strategies and resources so that local organisations can sustain this knowledge long term, creating more inclusive and supportive communities
What does Kaleidoscope offer families?
Each family can receive up to 20 hours of support, which may include:
- A broad developmental assessment of your child (not a diagnosis, but enough to support funding and referral applications)
- Guidance through the NDIS Early Childhood Approach process
- Coaching and strategies for supporting your child at home
- Advocacy for your child’s inclusion at childcare, school, or community programs
- Support with transitions into new environments
- Linking you to both specialist therapy and community services
Our team focuses on providing families with practical help including support letters for diagnostic services, advocacy with schools/childcare, assistance with paperwork and setting up support services.
We provide timely follow-up to make sure families feel guided and supported.
For regional families, we also offer local training and support in collaboration with our partner organisations.
Who can apply?
- Families with a child aged 6 or under who may have a developmental delay
- Families experiencing vulnerability, isolation or barriers to therapy access
- Children who have been excluded or asked to leave childcare/school
- Families with no current engagement with NDIS or formal diagnosis
How can I apply?
During the pilot phase, referrals will be accepted from our community partners:
- NGALA
- Parenting Connection WA
- Parent and Child Centres
- Westminster ESC
- Beldon ESC
Our partner referrals are prioritised, however you can still submit a referral form and our team will be in touch with you.
Link to referral form – TBA
Where is the program available?
Kaleidoscope is available across Western Australia. Support may be provided:
- In person at home, school, or childcare (where available)
- Onsite at partner organisation facilities i.e. parent and child centres, childcare centres
- Online (telehealth) for families in regional or remote communities
- During planned regional outreach trips in collaboration with local partners
Does Kaleidoscope diagnose children?
No, Kaleidoscope is not a diagnostic service.
However, our team of Allied Health Therapists have extensive experience in developmental assessment and disability. We complete broad developmental assessments to support applications for NDIS or other funding pathways, and guide families to the appropriate diagnostic services when needed.
What is the regional project arm?
In addition to the individual family support pathway, Kaleidoscope also has a regional project arm. Many regional communities in WA have limited access to specialist services and training. To bridge this gap, Kaleidoscope will work with our partner organisations to bring a team of skilled therapists into regional areas. Together we will:
- Deliver tailored training and workshops for local organisations, childcare centres, and schools, designed around the specific needs of each community.
- Build local knowledge of developmental delays and hidden disabilities (such as autism), supporting earlier identification and stronger pathways to services.
- Provide parent workshops for families of children with developmental delays, helping them better understand their child and build supportive local networks.
- Strengthen the capacity of local childcare and school staff to recognise early signs, have confident conversations with families, and link children to the right supports.
What’s the goal of Kaleidoscope?
Our goal is to provide a soft landing for vulnerable families who may not have the capacity to advocate for their child or know where to turn for help.
By working side-by-side with partner organisations that families already trust, we help identify developmental delays as early as possible, link families to the right supports and make them feel safe, informed and confident about the next steps.
Through this values-based approach, we aim to improve long-term outcomes, strengthen families and create more resilient communities across WA.
Testimonials
Want to know more about the Kaleidoscope program?
Get in touch with our team today
