Preschool Boost: How Occupational Therapy Can Support Your Preschool
If you're an educator, preschool director or educational leader in South Australia, you've likely heard about the Flying Start Program and Preschool Boost.
But understanding how these initiatives work—and how to make the most of the funding available—can be challenging.
One question many preschool leaders ask is:
"What services will have the greatest impact on our educators and the children we support?"
One increasingly popular answer is occupational therapy educator coaching—a collaborative approach that builds educator confidence, strengthens inclusive practices and improves children's participation in everyday learning.
What is the Flying Start Program?
The Flying Start Program is a South Australian Government initiative designed to give children the best possible start in life and learning.
The programme recognises that the early years are critical for children's development. By investing in high-quality early childhood education and supporting educators, the Flying Start Program aims to improve children's learning, wellbeing and school readiness before they begin Reception.
Rather than focusing on one-size-fits-all solutions, the programme encourages early childhood services to choose supports that best meet the needs of their educators, children and local community.
This is where Preschool Boost plays an important role.
What is Preschool Boost?
Preschool Boost is part of the South Australian Government's Flying Start Program.
It provides eligible preschool services with funding to access approved programmes and suppliers that strengthen children's development across key learning areas.
Importantly, Preschool Boost funding is allocated to preschool services—not individual families. This means preschool directors and leadership teams decide how their funding is used to best support their educators and children, often guided by their service's AEDC data and Quality Improvement Plan.
The programme encourages services to invest in initiatives that create sustainable improvements in teaching practice, inclusion and children's participation.
For many services, this means choosing supports that build educator capability rather than relying solely on short-term interventions.
Why Occupational Therapy Has a Place in Preschool Boost
When people hear occupational therapy, they often think about individual therapy sessions with one child.
While individual therapy is important, occupational therapists also play a valuable role in supporting the adults who work with children every day.
Children learn through everyday experiences:
- playing with peers
- participating in group learning
- transitioning between activities
- exploring outdoor environments
- developing independence during meals and self-care
- managing emotions and behaviour throughout the day
When children experience difficulties in these routines, occupational therapists can help educators understand why participation is challenging and identify practical strategies that can be embedded into everyday practice.
This aligns closely with the goals of Preschool Boost—building stronger learning environments that benefit all children.
What Is Occupational Therapy (Educator Coaching)?
Occupational therapy (educator coaching) is a collaborative, capacity-building approach.
Rather than working separately with individual children, the occupational therapist partners with educators and leadership teams to strengthen inclusive practice across the whole preschool.
Support may include:
- observing children within everyday routines
- identifying barriers to participation
- coaching educators through practical strategies
- modelling techniques during play and group activities
- adapting environments and routines
- reflecting on what is working and refining approaches together
The focus is on helping educators feel confident implementing strategies independently within their own classrooms.
Why Building Educator Confidence Matters
Educators spend many hours each week supporting children through play, learning and daily routines.
When educators feel confident responding to children's diverse needs, the benefits extend far beyond one child or one classroom.
Occupational therapy educator coaching can help educators:
- recognise participation barriers
- support emotional regulation
- create inclusive learning environments
- adapt activities for children with different abilities
- improve transitions throughout the day
- increase children's engagement during learning experiences
- encourage greater independence in everyday tasks
These are skills that remain within the preschool long after the coaching programme has ended.
Small Changes Can Have a Big Impact
Inclusive practice doesn't always require major changes.
Often, small adjustments can significantly improve children's participation.
These might include:
- using visual supports
- creating predictable routines
- adjusting classroom layouts
- providing movement opportunities
- simplifying instructions
- modifying activities to allow multiple ways to participate
- offering flexible seating or quiet regulation spaces
These strategies often benefit every child in the classroom—not only those experiencing developmental challenges.
Meaningful Activities Occupational Therapy: An Approved Preschool Boost Supplier for 2027
Meaningful Activities Occupational Therapy (MAOT) is proud to be an approved supplier under the Preschool Boost programme.
We partner with preschool educators across metropolitan Adelaide to build confidence, strengthen inclusive practice and improve children's participation through Occupational Therapy (Educator Coaching).
Our programme is designed to work alongside educators—not add to their workload.
Support is typically delivered through a series of 8–12 sessions across a school term, scheduled weekly or fortnightly. Each session includes approximately 60 minutes with additional time allocated for documentation, and can be delivered in person, online or through a hybrid model.
Over a typical school term, we collaborate with educators through a series of coaching sessions that include:
- observation within everyday preschool routines
- collaborative planning and problem-solving
- on-the-floor modelling of practical strategies
- reflective discussions with educators and leadership
- practical resources that support ongoing implementation
Support is embedded into existing preschool programmes, making strategies practical, achievable and sustainable.
This flexible approach allows preschools across Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Adelaide to access support in a way that suits their team.
Why Choose a Capacity-Building Approach?
One of the greatest strengths of educator coaching is that it creates lasting change.
Rather than relying on external professionals to solve challenges, educators develop the confidence and skills to respond independently.
As inclusive practices become part of everyday routines, current and future children continue to benefit.
This sustainable model aligns with the goals of the Flying Start Program by strengthening the capability of the early childhood workforce while improving outcomes for children.
Is Occupational Therapy (Educator Coaching) Right for Your Preschool?
If your preschool is planning how to use Preschool Boost funding, occupational therapy educator coaching may be an effective way to invest in your team.
Whether your goals include:
- improving children's participation
- strengthening emotional regulation strategies
- supporting inclusive practice
- increasing educator confidence
- enhancing engagement across everyday routines
our team can work collaboratively with your educators to develop practical solutions that fit naturally within your preschool environment.
We'd Love to Work With Your Team
Meaningful Activities Occupational Therapy supports preschools across Northern, Southern, Eastern and Western Adelaide through evidence-informed educator coaching that creates meaningful, sustainable change.
As an approved Preschool Boost supplier, we're committed to helping educators build the knowledge, confidence and practical skills needed to support every child's participation, regulation and engagement.
If you're exploring ways to use your Preschool Boost funding, we'd be happy to discuss how our Occupational Therapy (Educator Coaching) programme could support your preschool.
Email: admin@meaningfulactivities.com.au
Phone: 0479 112 910
Take the first step
Book an initial consultation with our team and start your journey towards growth and independence.
