Help us strengthen children’s opportunities
Donate nowKU is proud of its community connections and the values we share for inclusive and diverse early learning experiences for all children – regardless of their abilities, cultural background, or economic status. It’s these values that strengthen our capacity and potential to contribute to initiatives that reach more families and affect social change.
Help us make the KU difference even greater today with a tax-deductible donation to the KU Marcia Burgess Foundation Christmas Appeal!
You’ll be helping children from low-income families to access an integrated approach of early intervention, within and alongside KU’s early childhood education services – a place of play, learning, and social interaction.
Allied Health professionals collaborate with families and early educators to provide:
- a qualified assessment of the child’s developmental abilities, and
- strategies to help children reach their individual development goals, to thrive, and start school with increased confidence and abilities.
For children like Mark* and his family where English is a second language, KU’s multilingual staff (or alternative services) can provide language translations and support about early childhood intervention. The story of Mark and his mother Noora* shows the impact your donation can make for children supported through the KU Marcia Burgess Foundation. You can read Mark’s Story below.
* Names have been changed
Your gift of kindness opens a door of holistic support for a child experiencing developmental and social challenges. Please, donate today.
Mark and his family arrived on humanitarian visas to Australia in 2024. When his parents started English classes at an Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), 3-year-old Mark was enrolled in KU’s AMEP early education and care services.
KU’s AMEP multilingual early educators noticed Mark was experiencing challenges with his speech, language, social, and physical development.
Mark was very shy and hesitant to play with other children and struggling to communicate what he wanted. He would often trip when walking or running and found it difficult to climb outdoor play equipment.
KU’s service coordinator soon talked with Mark’s mother, Noora, in her first language. Noora was aware of Mark’s developmental challenges but as a family newly arrived in Australia, she didn’t know where or how to seek professional support for her son.
Through support from the KU Marcia Burgess Foundation, financial assistance was provided for Mark to access a speech and language assessment and an occupational therapy assessment.
Accessing early childhood intervention
Allied Health professionals conducted the developmental assessments at KU’s AMEP service, sharing reports and recommendations with Noora through language translation together with Mark’s early educators.
The key focus was to ensure Mark received the support he needed both at the AMEP service and at home. They were provided with strategies and activities to support Mark’s gross and fine motor skill activities, and language and communication.
A year on, Mark, now 4 years old, has made significant progress in all areas of his development, and as he prepares for school next year.
Noora is so pleased for the early intervention her son received and the developmental goals he has been able to achieve. Mark now enjoys outdoor play, is interacting more confidently with other children, and able to use words and gestures to express his feelings.
Thank you for donating to our 2025 Christmas Appeal. 100% of your donation goes to supporting initiatives of the KU Marcia Burgess Foundation.
ABN: 85 383 844 260
All donations $2.00 and over to the KU Marcia Burgess Foundation are tax-deductible.