Some skills just can't be learned in a one-on-one setting. Many of our children are learning how to work in a group, or need more support than what they'd receive in a mainstream group setting. At Early Bird Therapy, we structure our groups to make sure every child is successful and provide the staffing levels to ensure everyone is learning and having a great time.
While we don't work on "social skills", a small group is a great place for children to explore friendships and teamwork. All of our groups are run by qualified Allied Health Professionals (OTs, Speech Pathologists, or Positive Behaviour Support Practitioners) and supported by our Allied Health Assistants.
Our NDIS participants usually use Capacity Building Supports (Improved Daily Living) to work towards their NDIS goals in the groups.
Kid's Club
Kid's Club is designed to boost confidence and enhance group skills for children in a supportive and nurturing environment. Our main goal is to create a safe space where children can actively participate and have positive interactions with like-minded peers. We do fun activities like cooking, science experiments, painting, gardening and more, and our kids are in charge of the direction our group takes.
Our kid's club participants are usually 6-12 years old. There are usually between 4 and 8 kids in a Kid's Club with 2-3 staff members. We increase our staffing levels if the group dynamic requires it, and parents/carers do not usually sit in on this group.
Cost: $1850 per term ($1625 in term 2)
Time: 3:45-4:45pm Mondays
Location: Early Bird Therapy, Fyshwick
Term 1: 5 February - 8 April (8 weeks)
Term 2: 6 May - 1 July (7 weeks)
Term 3: 29 July - 16 September (8 weeks)
Term 4: 21 October - 9 December (8 weeks)
Mini Kid's Club
Mini Kid's Club is tailor-made to build confidence in a supportive and caring atmosphere. Using a variety of activities like sensory play, pretend play, science experiments, art and craft, gardening and more, the Mini Kid's Club offers a space where your child can actively engage and enjoy positive interactions with peers who share similar interests.
Our Mini Kids are usually 3-6 years old. We usually maintain a ratio of one therapist to two children, and parents can choose whether to stay in the group or leave for a short while.
Cost: $2000 per term
Time: 9:30am-11:00am Tuesdays
Location: Early Bird Therapy, Fyshwick
Term 2: 7 May-25 June
Term 3: 29 July-16 September
Term 4: 21 October-9 December
Cooking Club
Our Cooking Club is thoughtfully designed to foster confidence, enhance group skills, and ignite a love for food exploration in children. We explore a different food-related theme each session and work on concepts such as following a recipe, examining the sensory properties of foods, and experimenting with tastes.
Our Cooking Club participants are usually aged between 6 and 12, and parents/carers do not usually sit in on this group. We cater our staffing ratio to the individual needs of our participants.
Cost: $230 per session
Time: 2:30-3:30pm during school holidays
Dates (pick and choose which sessions to attend):
16 April
18 April
19 April
16 July
17 July
18 July
9 October
10 October
11 October
20 January
21 January
22 January
23 January
Mini Chefs
You're never too young to develop a love of food! Mini Chefs is aimed at building confidence, group skills, and sensory exploration while learning about food. We explore all sorts of foods and work as a team to make culinary masterpieces.
Our Mini Chefs are usually aged 3-6 years old, and it's up to our participants whether their parents/carers attend with them. We change our ratios according to the needs of our Chefs, but usually work on a 2:1 ratio.
Cost: $230 per session
Time: 10:30-11:30am during school holidays
Dates (pick and choose which sessions to attend):
16 April
18 April
19 April
9 July
10 July
11 July
1 October
2 October
3 October
27 January
28 January
29 January
30 January
Fine Motor Boot Camp
This OT-run therapy group is designed to give opportunities to practice fine motor skills and group interaction while having fun! We work on drawing, cutting, pre-writing, and play activities to build hand strength and dexterity.
Our Fine Motor Boot Camp participants are usually preparing to enter Preschool, up to Kindergarten-aged. Please note that as this is a skills-based boot camp, it is best suited to children who are able to participate in adult-directed tasks. It's up to our participants whether their parents/carers attend with them. We change our ratios according to the needs of our learners, but usually work on a 2:1 ratio.
Cost: $900 per block (children attend all sessions in the school holiday block)
Time: 9:30am-11:00am during school holidays
Dates:
April holidays: 22, 23, and 24 April
October holidays: 8, 9, and 10 October
January 2025 holidays: 20, 21 and 22 January
School Readiness
This OT-run therapy group is designed to give opportunities to practice fine motor skills and group interaction while having fun! We work on drawing, cutting, pre-writing, and play activities to build hand strength and dexterity.
Our Fine Motor Boot Camp participants are usually preparing to enter Preschool, up to Kindergarten-aged. Please note that as this is a skills-based boot camp, it is best suited to children who are able to participate in adult-directed tasks. It's up to our participants whether their parents/carers attend with them. We change our ratios according to the needs of our learners, but usually work on a 2:1 ratio.
Cost: $900 per block (children attend all sessions in the school holiday block)
Time: 9:30am-11:00am during school holidays
Dates:
April holidays: 22, 23, and 24 April
October holidays: 8, 9, and 10 October
January 2025 holidays: 20, 21 and 22 January
Sensory Play Group
Join us for some messy, sensory fun in a social environment. We practice group skills and work together in a team to create all sorts of sensory experiences. This group has been designed by Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, and Positive Behaviour Support Practitioners.
Sensory Play Group is aimed at 3-6 year olds and it's up to our participants whether their parents/carers attend with them. We change our ratios according to the needs of our learners, but usually work on a 2:1 ratio.
Cost: $900 per block (children attend all sessions in the school holiday block)
Time: 9:30am-11:00am during school holidays
Dates:
July holidays: 15, 16 and 17 July
October holidays: 30 September, 1 October and 2 October
January 2025 holidays: 13, 14 and 15 January