My son, Mateo, is a bright, curious 4-year-old who happens to be profoundly deaf with additional disabilities. Since 2022, he has thrived in his Early Childhood Development Program (ECDP), receiving the support and specialised attention that he needs to develop his skills and confidence to prepare for his future education. As we approach 2026, we were heartbroken to learn that Mateo, due to being prep-eligible, will be denied access to his beloved and vital ECDP. 

ECDPs provide essential early intervention for children with disabilities and developmental delays. Yet across Queensland, many families are being told their children cannot continue attending ECDPs once they become “prep-eligible”, even when specialists, teachers, and parents agree that an additional year is crucial for their development.

Until recently, families like ours could make evidence-based decisions with educators and therapists about whether their child should repeat their ECDP year. Many children, including those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, autistic, or have global developmental delays, have benefited enormously from being able to stay an additional year.

But this year, families across Queensland (especially in the Metro South region) have been told their children can no longer attend ECDP once they became prep-eligible, regardless of their individual needs or professional recommendations.

This abrupt and blanket policy change has devastated families. It disregards the professional judgment of teachers, therapists, and specialists who work daily with these children. It removes parental choice. And most importantly, it undermines the right of children with disabilities to receive the support they need to reach their potential.

For children like Mateo, losing access to ECDP means losing the consistent, specialized environment that has made their progress possible. Withdrawing this support at such a crucial age will only widen the gap, placing them at an even greater disadvantage as they enter the school system. Denying these children access to such programs, especially when they have previously benefited from them, is not only unjust but counterproductive to their growth and development. Cutting access now risks undoing years of progress, for children who need consistency and support most.

We are also deeply concerned that this policy change could mark the beginning of the end for ECDPs altogether. By restricting access for prep-eligible children, we risk setting a precedent that slowly erodes these vital programs. ECDPs have been a lifeline for countless families across Queensland, providing specialised education and early intervention that can change a child’s future. We must ensure that this invaluable system is protected, not dismantled, so that every child with additional needs continues to have access to the early learning support they deserve.

We are calling on the Queensland Department of Education and the Minister for Education to:

• Reverse the decision denying prep-eligible children access to repeat an ECDP year when supported by professional recommendation and family request.
• Ensure ECDP access is based on individual developmental need, not age or years of attendance.
• Establish a transparent, child-centred appeals process for families seeking continued ECDP access.
• Consult with educators, parents, and early intervention specialists before implementing any policy changes affecting children with disabilities and developmental delays.

Early intervention changes lives. Denying access to it sets children back, sometimes permanently. These children deserve the chance to develop, communicate, and thrive according to their needs, not according to policy mandates.

Please sign and share this petition to protect access to ECDPs for all Queensland children who need them most.