Preschool Field Officers (PSFO).
Supporting teachers to help children thrive in their early education.
What are Preschool Field Officers (PSFO)?
Preschool Field Officers in Victoria.
The Preschool Field Officer (PSFO) program is a free service funded by the Victorian Government to help early learning teams support the inclusion of all children.
The program is for children with additional needs and/or experiencing vulnerabilities in funded three and four-year-old kindergarten and Early Start Kindergarten programs.
We are the largest provider of the Victorian Government’s PSFO program.
A PSFO can help children who need support with:
- Behaviour
- Communication
- Social interactions
- Play skills
- Physical development
- Learning.
About the program
The PSFO program provides strategies and consultation to teaching teams to enhance inclusive practices.
Our PSFOs have a degree in early childhood education, a kindergarten teaching background and specialist experience working with children with additional needs.
Our PSFO program can be found in multiple Local Government Areas.
How the program works
The PSFO program focuses on a flexible approach to supporting inclusion through:
- Observing a child’s development, capabilities and learning needs
- Providing information, resources and referral pathways, such as speech therapy
- Working with teaching teams to support each child through strategies, program adaptations, and professional conversations
- Supporting teachers to collaborate with families and services
- Offering information and support around school readiness and the second-year process.
How to apply for PSFO services
We have updated the Preschool Field Officer Program referral process to an online referral form.
If you have any difficulties completing the online referral form, please reach out to your regional PSFO team, via email for support.
Please note that we can only accept referrals from the child’s teacher, we are not able to accept referrals completed by other professionals, parents or guardians of children.
If you would like the PSFO Program to provide support to your child at your funded 3- or 4-year-old kindergarten program, please speak with your child’s teacher about making a referral.
How it works
Teacher visits Uniting PSFO webpage
Teacher downloads and completes ‘PSFO Program Consent Form’ with the child’s parent/guardian. Teacher submits completed consent to local PSFO email.
Please download the Parent Consent Form here. This form must be completed with and signed by the child’s parent or guardian before you complete the online referral form. The PSFO program cannot provide any service without signed consent from the child’s family. Once completed, scan and email to your local PSFO team’s email.
Teacher completes the ‘PSFO Program Referral’ form.
Use this link to complete the online referral from. You can use the ‘how to complete an online referral resource’ to assist with this process.
Teacher formally submits the form – a confirmation message will appear on screen. Local Uniting PSFO team will contact teacher to arrange initial contact meeting
Further resources
How to complete an online referral resource (downloadable PDF)
How we protect the privacy of your information
Feedback-Compliments and Complaints page link
Resources and publications
The Uniting PSFO program received a Warrawong Grant, which was used to fund Yellow Ladybugs to create a series of videos for early childhood educators about the presentation and support needs of autistic girls attending early childhood education and care services. You can access the full playlist here.
Get in touch
For more information or to make a referral, please get in touch with us.