Early Intervention

Support from the Maternity Hospital

We provide timely support to parents of children aged 0-3 years.

  • Home visits and visits to the maternity hospital
  • A team of various specialists
  • Family-oriented approach
  • Assistance with adaptation to nursery and kindergarten
  • Mutual support groups

Early intervention services are implemented with the cooperation of Varna Municipality.

Over 1300 children and families supported since 2010.
52% of children do not require therapy after leaving the service.

Parent Testimonial

“These were the people who supported us in the most difficult moments.”

“Immediately after our call, we were included in the ‘Early Intervention’ service. On the 16th day after our daughter’s birth, a team of specialists visited us at home.

A rehabilitation therapist, speech therapist, and psychologist gave us invaluable advice and guidance for Mikaela’s development. These were also the people who supported us in the most difficult moments.

With Karin Dom’s presence in our lives, Mikaela took her first steps at 1 year and 1 month old. This is an incredible achievement for a child with Down syndrome. At 6 months, Mikaela said “dada”, and at 7 months we heard her say “mama”.

Special thanks to the whole team, without whom Mikaela would not have achieved such great results!”

Silvena Hristova, Mikaela’s mother

The First Years Are Key

Early diagnosis, early support

This is an opportunity for you, as parents, together with an early childhood development consultant, to respond in time and receive support if your baby or young child is experiencing delays or problems in their development.

Early intervention is intended for babies and young children from 0 to 3 years old:

  • At risk of developmental delay, including those born prematurely or with low birth weight
  • Experiencing delays in any area of development – cognitive, motor, speech, social, or emotional
  • With a diagnosed condition

Our team of early childhood development consultants has many years of experience and can visit you and your family at home, on the playground, or invite you to Karin Dom. The consultants will help you acquire knowledge and skills for games, exercises, and activities with your child that will stimulate their development.

Process

How to join the service?

01Fill in a consultation request form

We will contact you within 5 working days after submitting the online request to schedule the first meeting. We use a family-oriented approach, where parents are given guidance and actively involved during each of our meetings.

02An early childhood development consultant will visit you at home

During our first meeting, we will assess the child’s development and the family’s needs. We will answer your questions and together discuss the necessity of further consultations and inclusion in the service.

03Joining the service

If ongoing support is needed, the early childhood development consultants will prepare an individual programme and work with you and your child until the set goals are achieved.

Early Start, Better Future

What does the service include?

If you have any concerns about your baby’s or child’s development, the Early Intervention programme is for you.

  • Guidance on organising the home environment to support your child
  • Development of self-care skills, eating, drinking, and more
  • Support for developing communication skills
  • Improving skills for understanding and regulating emotions and behaviour
  • Baby bath – water therapy to stimulate motor development
  • Participation in a small playgroup with other children and parents
  • Toy library – borrowing books, toys, and equipment
  • Parent mutual support and peer groups
  • Themed informational meetings for parents

One service – many opportunities

  • Psychological support from the maternity hospital and breastfeeding support
  • Regular visits from early childhood development specialists at home
  • Activities stimulating the child’s motor, speech and language, emotional, and cognitive development
  • Information about medical, social, and educational services
  • Support for the child and family during the transition to nursery or kindergarten
  • Individual psychological consultations for parents with a psychologist/psychotherapist

Results

The “Early Intervention” service received high praise and was included in a UNICEF publication showcasing good practices to help children under 3 years grow up in a safe and supportive family environment.

In 2010

we launched Early Intervention

1300+

children and families have used the Early Intervention service since its launch

52%

of the children do not require follow-up support at the childcare facility

Playgroup

Who is it for?

The playgroup is suitable for children aged 1 to 3 years and is free of charge for children enrolled in Early Intervention.

When:
Every Friday from 10:00 to 11:00 AM

Where:
At the Karin Dom building, 86A Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd.

The playgroup is a wonderful opportunity for children to socialise, play, and learn in a fun and stimulating environment.

Advance registration is required by phone:

Early Start, Better Future

One team – many opportunities

For your child:

  • To build a stronger emotional bond with you, their loving and supportive parents
  • To acquire new skills
  • To optimally develop their strengths, abilities, and potential

For you, the parents:

  • To understand more about your child’s needs
  • To discover new ways to encourage your child’s development
  • To meet other parents and discuss topics that matter to you

Professional Support

The team of early childhood development specialists

The team of early childhood development specialists includes a rehabilitation therapist, speech therapists, a special education teacher, a psychologist, a social worker, and breastfeeding consultants.

Veronika Valcheva

Specialty:

Early Intervention Early Childhood Development Social Worker
Veronika Valcheva is a social worker, early childhood development consultant, and manager of the Early Intervention team. She joined the Karin Dom team in 2010 and, since 2019, has been…
Svetla Lazarova

Specialty:

Early Childhood Development Consultant Speech and Language Therapist Pedagogue
Svetla Lazarova has been part of the Karin Dom team since 2014, working as a speech and language therapist-consultant in the “Early Intervention” service. She conducts home visits as part…
Nergis Shaip

Specialty:

Early Childhood Development Consultant Rehabilitator Breastfeeding Consultant
As a consultant in the “Early Intervention” service, Nergis (Neri) takes on cases of the youngest children and babies at risk of developmental delays, including premature or low birth weight…
Petya Ivanova

Specialty:

Early Childhood Development Consultant Breastfeeding Consultant Social Services Specialist
Petya joined the Karin Dom team in 2022 and became part of the Early Intervention team in 2024. Petya shares: “My motivation to work in the social field stems from…
Maya Zhivkova

Specialty:

Early Childhood Development Consultant Speech Therapist
Since October 2024, Maya Zhivkova has been working at Karin Dom as a speech therapist and consultant in the “Early Intervention” service. She conducts home visits as part of the…
Virginia Vasileva

Specialty:

On maternity leave Early Childhood Development Consultant Psychologist Trainer
Virginia joined the Karin Dom team in 2012. For two years, she led group therapy for children in a Montessori environment. Since 2013, she has been leading playgroups for babies…

Funding

On average, we work with 80 families per month, 40 of whom are funded by Varna Municipality through delegated municipal activities. For the programme’s activities, Karin Dom actively seeks financial support from donors and project funding.

Support us >>

Individual Approach

How to join the service?

To be able to support more children through the service, the management of Karin Dom has introduced the option of paid consultations for children whose funding is insufficient.

Each first consultation with our team before including a child in the programme is charged according to the fees approved by Karin Dom.

Request a consultation for Early Intervention