Noah's Ark Inc.

Noah's Ark Inc. Noah's Ark supports families in Victoria, ACT, New South Wales and surrounding areas. They established toy libraries for children with a disability.

In 1971, we started as the Noah’s Ark Toy Library for Handicapped Children, run by a small group of parents of children with a disability. At the time, families were beginning to refuse to put their children with disabilities into institutional care and institutions stopped admitting young children. Noah’s Ark co-founder Annetine Forell, a parent of a child with a disability, as well as co-founder

Mary Glue, saw the need for family support. The service recognised the importance of play in a child’s development and provided a place for families to discuss the challenges of parenting. Today, Noah’s Ark is a not-for-profit community organisation based in Victoria and the ACT, Australia. We offer a range of services and programs that support families who have a child (aged 0-8) with a disability or additional needs. At Noah’s Ark we work closely with children with a disability, their families and the services they participate in. We recognise that parents are experts on their own child and we provide them with information and support that enables them to make informed decisions. We employ more than 220 staff and deliver services to more than 2000 families across Victoria and the ACT. Noah’s Ark works with families, educators and policy-makers.

Noah’s Ark delivers vital early intervention support to more than 80 Victorian families through the Department of Educat...
11/08/2026

Noah’s Ark delivers vital early intervention support to more than 80 Victorian families through the Department of Education-funded Early Childhood Intervention Services Continuity of Support (ECIS-CoS) program.

Supporting children with disability or developmental delay who are not eligible for NDIS, the program provides evidence-based, family-centred services tailored to each child’s and family’s goals.

Through dedicated Key Workers and access to a multidisciplinary team, families receive practical support, guidance and advocacy—from everyday developmental needs through to kindergarten and school transitions—helping children build the skills and confidence to thrive.

Read more on our website:
https://www.noahsarkinc.org.au/news/continuity-best-practice-early-intervention-supports

Noah's Ark partnered with ACT Government City Services - Libraries in July as part of their Disability Pride Month initi...
10/08/2026

Noah's Ark partnered with ACT Government City Services - Libraries in July as part of their Disability Pride Month initiative to deliver inclusive storytelling sessions for children and families.

Story Time Takeovers with Key Word Sign introduced children and their carers to accessible communication methods through stories, songs and play. Key Word Sign uses simple signs alongside spoken language to support communication and language development. The sessions provided a relaxed and interactive environment where participants learnt practical skills they could apply at home. The initiative helped enhance communication while promoting inclusion by ensuring children of all abilities could engage with storytelling.

Noah's Ark Speech Pathologist Natalie facilitated sessions at Woden Library, while Speech Pathologist and Key Word Sign Presenter Alanna facilitated sessions at Kippax Library.

Parents, grandparents and other caregivers attended alongside babies, infants and young children.

You can find more information about Key Word Sign on our website: https://www.noahsarkinc.org.au/workshop/getting-started-with-key-word-sign-workshop

Getting Started with Key Word Sign workshops are open to all health professionals, teachers, parents and caregivers.Enro...
07/08/2026

Getting Started with Key Word Sign workshops are open to all health professionals, teachers, parents and caregivers.

Enrol now for the next online course starting 4 September.

• Supportive learning environment - learn signs and how to support interactions.
• Run by Noah's Ark Certified Presenter and Speech Pathologist.
• Limited places remaining!

Find more information and register on our website: https://www.noahsarkinc.org.au/workshop/getting-started-with-key-word-sign-workshop

When inclusion is working well, you may barely notice it.At Dinjerra Primary School, it can look like a child staying wi...
06/08/2026

When inclusion is working well, you may barely notice it.

At Dinjerra Primary School, it can look like a child staying with the group a little longer, a teacher having one more strategy to try, or support becoming a natural part of the classroom routine.

But that does not happen by chance.

Our new case study explores how Noah’s Ark staff work alongside Dinjerra’s teachers and leaders to test practical strategies, build staff confidence and strengthen support for students.

It is a practical example of what can happen when allied health expertise is embedded in everyday school life.

Read the full case study on our website: https://www.noahsarkinc.org.au/news/noahs-ark-and-dinjerra-primary-school

Every school’s inclusion journey is different. Let’s build the right support for yours.

At Noah’s Ark, our allied health and coaching team works alongside early childhood educators, recognising the deep knowl...
04/08/2026

At Noah’s Ark, our allied health and coaching team works alongside early childhood educators, recognising the deep knowledge, experience and strengths they already bring to their roles.

By listening first and collaborating closely, we help educators build on existing practice with evidence-based strategies that support communication, social and emotional development, participation and inclusion.

Whether through professional learning, onsite coaching or tailored support, our goal is to embed practical approaches into everyday routines and learning environments, creating meaningful and sustainable change for children, educators and services.

Every early childhood service has unique goals and priorities. That’s why our support is flexible, responsive and designed in partnership with educators, staff and communities.

Read more on our website: https://www.noahsarkinc.org.au/news/allied-health-coaching-support

Today is National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, a national celebration held each year on 4 Augus...
04/08/2026

Today is National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, a national celebration held each year on 4 August.

This year's theme is Living Our Truth, honouring the power of truth-telling and celebrating the journeys Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children take as they grow, guided by culture, community and connection to Country.

Led by SNAICC-National Voice for our Children, it is an opportunity for all Australians to recognise and celebrate the strength, pride and potential of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

Read more here: https://www.snaicc.org.au/

Join us next Tuesday, 11 August 2026 as part of Early Childhood Australia's Early Learning Matters Week.We'll be present...
02/08/2026

Join us next Tuesday, 11 August 2026 as part of Early Childhood Australia's Early Learning Matters Week.

We'll be presenting on 'Supporting relationships, regulation and communication.'

This collaborative event in Holt, Canberra brings together early childhood professionals to connect, share ideas, and explore practical approaches to support young children and families.

More info below and register here: https://earlylearningmatters.eventbrite.com.au

🌱 Early Learning Matters 2026 🌱

Supporting children to thrive starts with supporting the people who care for and educate them every day.

Join us for Early Learning Matters 2026—a collaborative professional learning event bringing together early childhood educators, allied health professionals and community organisations to connect, share ideas and explore practical strategies that support children's learning, wellbeing and inclusion.

The day will feature interactive discussions with local organisations, giving participants the opportunity to learn from one another, build new connections and take away practical ideas they can use in their own settings.

📅 Tuesday 11 August 2026
📍 UnitingCare Kippax, Holt

If you work in the early childhood sector, we'd love to see you there.
Please see the flyer for details and registration information.

Children learn best when learning is connected to what genuinely interests them.Intense interests are far more than hobb...
31/07/2026

Children learn best when learning is connected to what genuinely interests them.

Intense interests are far more than hobbies. They are powerful tools for learning, communication, and connection.

Rather than redirecting intense interests, the neuro-affirming approach within ABC Kids Community's Fizzy and Suds recognises them as the natural bridge between curiosity, education, and belonging.

See more in their post below.

30/07/2026

What changes when allied health support moves out of the consulting room and into the classroom?

At Dinjerra Primary School, Noah’s Ark Speech Pathologist Mary Lin and Occupational Therapist Kim Doidge work alongside teachers and students where learning actually happens.

Together, they observe, test practical strategies and adapt them in real time. The impact reaches beyond individual students. Teachers build confidence, students are better supported to participate, and inclusive practice becomes part of the everyday classroom.

As the video puts it:

“It’s not just about having someone come in and fix things. It’s about building the school we all want to work in.”

Watch the video to see what that partnership looks like in practice.

Every school’s inclusion journey is different. Let’s build the right support for yours.

https://www.noahsarkinc.org.au/news/allied-health-alongside-teachers

Noah’s Ark is exploring new ways to support children and families through its Allied Health in Playgroups Pilot Project,...
29/07/2026

Noah’s Ark is exploring new ways to support children and families through its Allied Health in Playgroups Pilot Project, which saw speech pathologists working alongside established playgroups in Victoria.

Delivered in partnership with Communities for Children Bendigo and PlayConnect+ Playgroups, the pilot demonstrated how allied health professionals can support families in familiar, trusted environments by offering guidance, building confidence, identifying concerns early and connecting families with additional supports when needed.

The initiative highlights the value of meeting families where they already feel comfortable, while strengthening community connections and helping children thrive through early intervention and inclusive, family-centred support.

Read more on our website: https://www.noahsarkinc.org.au/news/partnerships-in-playgroups

Address

261-271 Wattletree Road
Malvern East, VIC
3144

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+611800819140

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