Building stronger foundations for children and families
An innovative Gold Coast pilot supporting young children with developmental and physical challenges through movement, family education and community connection.
THE NEED
Families of young children with developmental delays and physical disabilities often feel overwhelmed during the most important years of their child's development. While therapy plays an essential role, many families struggle to access practical support, build confidence at home and find meaningful connection with others on a similar journey.
Family Stress
Parents often feel overwhelmed navigating appointments, services and everyday life.
Social Connection
Children and families need opportunities to build friendships, confidence and community.
Support Worker Capacity
Support workers play an important role but often need practical guidance to reinforce therapy goals.
Equipment and Resources
Access to equipment and practical solutions can be costly and difficult to navigate.
Navigation
Understanding services, funding and supports can feel confusing during the early years.
OUR VISION....
No family should navigate early childhood disability alone.
Early Connections is building a wrap-around model of early childhood support that strengthens children's development while empowering the families, carers and professionals who support them. By bringing movement, education, connection and practical support together, we aim to create lasting outcomes that extend well beyond traditional therapy.
Connection
Parent Capability & Education
Navigation & Support
Equipment & Innovation
Support Worker Solutions
A Different Approach to Early Childhood Support
Early Connections complements traditional therapy by combining movement, family education and meaningful community participation in a way that helps children build skills while giving parents and support workers practical strategies they can use every day.
Our Gold Coast Connection Pilot
Our first pilot will test an innovative, evidence-informed model of early childhood support. Designed to complement existing therapy, the program brings together movement, family education and community connection while measuring meaningful outcomes for children and families.
Play-Based Movement
Helping children build strength, coordination, confidence and participation through purposeful movement and play.
Family Education
Giving parents and carers practical strategies they can confidently use at home between therapy appointments.
Community Connection
Creating opportunities for children and families to connect, participate and build supportive relationships.
Therapy-Informed
Designed to complement existing allied health services through evidence-informed, play-based experiences.
Measurable Outcomes
Occupational Therapy assessments before and after the pilot will help demonstrate meaningful developmental and functional progress.
Building Family Capacity
Supporting parents, carers and support workers with the knowledge and confidence to continue learning beyond the program.
Sustainable Model
The pilot serves as proof of concept - demonstrating impact, building trust, and establishing Early Connections as a credible partner for future funding and growth.
After the pilot, Early Connections will grow through a mix of NDIS funding, partnerships and scalable group programs - making support more accessible for families while remaining sustainable long-term.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The pilot is designed for young children with developmental delays, physical disabilities, movement challenges or additional support needs. Suitability can be discussed during the expression of interest process.
No. Early Connections is designed to complement existing therapy, providing additional opportunities to practise movement, build confidence and support carryover in everyday life.
Absolutely. Parents, carers and support workers are encouraged to participate, learn practical strategies and become active partners in supporting each child's development.
Each child will receive Occupational Therapy assessments before and after the pilot, along with ongoing observations to help measure functional, developmental and participation outcomes.
Early Connections combines therapy-informed movement, family education and community connection into one evidence-informed group model that supports both children and the people who care for them.
The pilot is designed for children aged 0–5 who would benefit from additional support with movement, physical development or functional participation in a welcoming, play-based group environment.
Let's Build This Together
Whether you're a family, therapist, community organisation, researcher or potential funding partner, we'd love to hear from you.
Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. Every family deserves the support to help them get there.
About Us
Early Connections was created from lived experience and professional insight.
Jacque’s journey as a mother and carer highlighted how lonely and overwhelming the early years can feel, navigating disability, therapy, appointments and all the uncertainty.
When Christine became Greer’s Support Worker, they both recognised a glaring gap: families need more than therapy and appointments, they need connection, practical education, therapy-informed support and a community that understands.
Between their backgrounds and experience, they believed they could offer families something different and something much needed.
Jacque Rodda
Program Development & Project Coordination Co-Founder - HI Mum to Greer 0426 576 538
Christine Groves
CHRISTINE GROVES Exercise Physiologist & Group Therapy Facilitator Owner Mummylicious Fitness Support Worker to Greer 0409 470 484
Support the Pilot
Early Connections is seeking funding partners, community organisations, therapists, researchers and local businesses who share our vision of improving outcomes for children and families during the earliest years of development.
Together, we can create an innovative model that strengthens communities and gives families the support they deserve.