Occupational Therapy

Enhance your child’s motor, behavioural, and social skills

Supporting Northern Beaches children from Manly to Mona Vale since 2007

Boost your child’s confidence.

Poor coordination, sensory issues, difficulty playing with toys or other kids, not being able to participate in what other kids are doing…as a parent or caregiver, these are all heartbreaking things to see your child go through.

Maybe you’ve tried helping your child at home or spoken to their teacher, but the problem persists. You’re tired of seeing them left out. Whether they’ve been given a diagnosis, or you’re not sure what’s wrong, we can show you what your options are and give you a plan of action.

Kids First’s experienced Occupational Therapists have been helping children in Sydney’s northern beaches overcome motor development and sensory issues since 2007.

At Kids First, you will meet experienced, fun and knowledgeable occupational therapists who have been working exclusively with children for many years.

Occupational therapy doesn’t just help fine motor skills like writing and holding objects. It helps children participate fully in daily life, learning, and play. Your child can gain more independence in our amazing sensory rooms, gyms, and social groups working with our experienced therapists. We’ll also equip you with the training and guidance you need to continue their therapy at home and in school.

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Targeted Skills Development

Our occupational therapy targets essential developmental areas, enhancing your child’s motor skills, social abilities, self-care, and emotional regulation for overall growth.

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Gross & Fine Motor Skills

Enhancing coordination and control for daily activities and functional tasks.

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Attention and Concentration

Boosting your child’s ability to stay focused and complete tasks efficiently.

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Social Skills and Emotional Regulation

Supporting healthy interactions and emotional management in various social settings.

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Self-care & Organisation Skills

Promoting independence and effective organisational skills in daily routines.

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Behavioural Issues

Constructively addressing and managing challenging behaviours to improve daily life.

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Sensory Processing

Assisting your child in handling sensory sensitivities or seeking behaviours effectively.

Why Choose
Kids First?

Compassionate, experienced therapists providing tailored, play-based, and adaptable therapy for your child’s unique developmental and emotional needs.

Play-based

Tailored

Adaptable

See What Our Amazing Community has to Say…

Absolutely thrilled to be working with such a supportive, knowledgeable and caring team of professionals. Sonja and Morgan have gone above and beyond for my family, and I cannot recommend them enough.

Katie

Jack’s mum

They do well by matching the right therapist for your particular child. Your child doesn’t just get handed to anyone, there is a whole process that takes time, and you don’t feel overwhelmed but rather put at ease.

Rachel

Ella's mum

Kids First has always been flexible to tailor make a program that works for both parents and the child. They know sometimes big and little people can have bad days and are always accommodating, kind and compassionate. Kids first is a one stop shop, it takes the stress out of shopping around for different therapists. I have been using Kids first services for 12 years and they are a great wealth of knowledge.

Dess

Max's Mum

Every step of the way each practitioner has given myself and my son a voice. We feel like we are part of developing this journey with guidance and support and so many opportunities for advice.

The whole system approach where our team talk to each other to confirm the best solution for James. It’s amazing having everyone at the same practice.

Kate

James' Mum

Care and kindness just oozes out of Kids First.

We have seen many therapists over the years, but the genuine interest in our family, as well as the knowledge and skill of the team has been life-changing for our child.

Daniel

Natasha's Dad

My child has attended quite a few different therapies and programs at Kids First. I love that he so thoroughly enjoys the experience that he looks forward to coming. My goodness – that just makes my job as a parent so much easier. He has also made a lot of progress since coming here and that really keeps us coming back.

Courtney

Mitchell's Mum

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Too busy to chat? Send us your questions!

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I call Kids First?

In our experience, a parent’s ‘gut instinct’ is very rarely wrong. If you are concerned about any aspect of your child’s learning at school or pre-school, or if your child has language, behaviour, or motor coordination problems, give us a call now.

If nothing else, the advice you receive might give you peace of mind

Do I need a doctor’s referral before I bring my child to Kids First?

No. A doctor’s referral is not necessary for any Kids First health service. However, if you’d like to explore Medicare support options, please talk to your family doctor to find out if your child meets the criteria for a Medicare plan.

What qualifications do Kids First’s clinicians have?

Every member of Kids First’s team is a university-educated professional with years of practical experience in clinics, community health, private practice, preschools, and schools.

Kids First’s professionals are members of nationally recognised professional associations such as:

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
Speech Pathology Australia
The Australian Psychological Society
OT Australia
Australian Counselling Association
Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia

Visit our Meet The Team page for more information.

Can I use my health fund at Kids First?

Most of Kids First’s children’s speech therapy, occupational therapy and child psychology services are eligible for health fund rebates. The exception is for Child and Family Clinician Services, Careers Advice and tuition services that are delivered by provisional psychologists or teachers. Please check with your fund for the specifics of your policy and the level of cover it offers to your family.

Can I get a Medicare rebate for Kids First health services?

Yes, many of our families claim rebates from Medicare for speech pathology, occupational therapy, and child psychology services at Kids First.

There are several types of plans for which your child might be eligible, including:

Better Access to Mental Health Care Plan
Chronic Disease Management Plan
Team Care Arrangement
GP Management Plan
Helping Children with Autism Plan

The only person who can set up a Medicare Plan for your child is your GP or paediatrician.

Your doctor needs to register your child’s plan with Medicare before you can claim a rebate for an appointment with us, so please chat with your doctor about your child’s needs.

Can I use my child's NDIS funding at Kids First?

Yes. If your child has a self-managed or plan-managed NDIS funding, you are welcome to use it at Kids First. The supports that your child is eligible for will be indicated on your child’s NDIS Plan. Kids First does not offer services to children whose NDIS plan is directly managed by the National Disability Insurance Agency.

Does Kids First have waiting lists?

Currently, Kids First’s therapists are accepting new clients; however, if you are limited to coming to see us at certain times and on particular days, you might find that we will need to wait list you for a place. There is heavy demand for our popular before and after school time slots, however we have a big team and will do everything possible to find a therapy time that suits you and your child. Children frequently ‘graduate’ from Kids First therapy programs and every week, new spots become available. Our Customer Service Team actions our waitlist every day, offering appointments to children who are waiting to see a member of our team.

Can Kids First’s therapists visit my child at school or pre-school?

Yes. Kids First’s speech pathologists, occupational therapists and psychologists welcome the opportunity to observe your child at pre-school. Pre-school visits can enhance your child’s therapy by allowing your child’s therapist to see how your child relates to peers and functions within the pre-school environment. Pre-school visits also offer valuable support and information to your child’s preschool carers.

Does Kids First provide in-school therapy services?

Kids First has a very limited number of in-school or in-preschool therapy services available to children who we see for multiple therapies. These children are supported by a team of clinicians and so we generally have direct face to face contact with their families at least once per week. Our experience is that most children achieve better, faster results when their parents are able to attend part or all of each session. While convenient, school visits don’t always give you the chance to connect personally with your child’s therapist, and we think that’s important. When you come to Kids First with your child, you get the opportunity to share the observations that you and your child’s teachers have of your child’s challenges and progress each week. This means that your child’s therapist is able to provide support that meets your child’s changing needs. Another benefit of meeting regularly with your child’s therapist is the direct advice you’ll receive. You’ll know exactly what strategies to practice at home and have the confidence to share accurate information with your child’s teachers. This will allow your child to make quicker progress and ultimately, save you time and money.

We see you,
We understand you,
We’re here for you.