This paper is a position paper and call to action which has been presented to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) review online. The paper aims to ensure that the system of early childhood supports and services is aligned with, and delivered based on the best available evidence. In this position paper we:

• summarise the evidence base for early childhood involvement for children with developmental disabilities and their families
• review recent policy changes
• describe nine interconnected areas of concern for those children eligible for the NDIS, and those who are not; and,
• propose a program of research which aims to provide an evidence-based platform to develop and test policies and strategies that can be implemented to improve existing early childhood intervention services.

Authorship and Acknowledgments

• Healthy Trajectories Child and Youth Disability Research Hub: Christine Imms, Catherine Bain, Celeste Duff, Bridget O’Connor, Anita D’Aprano, Joanne Griggs
• Melbourne Disability Institute: Bruce Bonyhady, Kirsten Deane, Rob Carter
• The Centre for Child and Community Health: Tim Moore
• The Department of Social Work Disability Research Hub: Louise Harms, Lyndal Hickey