Inclusive Child Care - Child Care Answers

Family

Finding and Choosing Child Care Special Education Diversity and Inclusion

Sometimes, families may come to your child care program that you are unable to serve, whether due to tuition costs, limited enrollment availability, or because your program is not the best fit for their child or family. Feel free to share the below information with families to support their continued child care journey. Indiana 2-1-1 is also a good place for them to start to get a list of other child care programs and/or local organizations to meet their unique needs.

Choosing Child Care for Your Child with a Disability

Early childhood inclusion means all children have access to quality early childhood programs. With access, children with disabilities gain membership and meaningful participation in a learning community. Inclusion in quality care supports the right of all children and their families to find a sense of belonging.

Advocating for Your Child’s Needs

Many parents wish their children came with instruction booklets. For parents of a child with a disability, they may feel this even more. As you learn about your child’s specific needs and interact with medical and educational professionals, remember that you are the expert on your child. Although you may feel overwhelmed by the challenges you face and may have many questions, no one knows your child better than you do. Collaborating with your child’s caregivers, communicating with therapists and medical professionals, and understanding your child’s own individual needs will help you find the right care setting for your child.

Learn all you can about your child’s rights, specific needs, and supports.
Ask teachers questions about the supports, strategies, and procedures at the program.
Share essential information with your child’s teachers.

Early Education for All Children

Your Child's Right to Education

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). and other state and local laws say that children with disabilities have a right to be educated in the least restrictive environment. Within the world of early childhood education, that means including children with disabilities in a child care setting with their same-age, typically-developing peers. For many children with special needs, being able to enjoy the experiences and relationships in a child care program isn’t out of reach, especially alongside specialized instruction and support, when needed.

Right to

Access

All children have access to be educated in programs alongside their same-age peers.

Right to

Participation

All children have what they need to participate and be engaged in play and learning.

Right to

Supports

The child care program has supports for their staff to create inclusive experiences and policies.

More About

Inclusive Child Care Checklist

When observing and listening, ask yourself:

Do staff welcome families and children in a loving, respectful way? Are parents welcome at anytime during the day?
Are caregiving and teaching practices responsive to differences in children’s abilities, interests, and experiences?
Is the physical environment safe, secure, and free of barriers that limit or prevent access and mobility (e.g., ramps, outside play area, bathrooms)?
Are learning materials and toys sufficient, safe, clean, and within reach of all children? Are there enough for the number of children?
Do staff plan the majority of developmental activities to be individualized or in small groups?
Do learning materials, books, and pictures reflect diversity, including children with special needs?
Do caregivers/teachers use a variety of instructional strategies to meet the individual needs of children?
Do staff include children with disabilities socially and engage them in meaningful activities throughout the day?
Do staff support and assist children with disabilities when needed?
Does the program accept children who are not yet walking or toilet-trained? Are children placed in a setting with their same-age peers?
Does the program provide or welcome onsite access to therapeutic and/or support services such as occupational, physical, and speech therapies?
Do staff communicate with parents and staff openly and on an ongoing basis? Do the staff share events and information with families regularly?

Additional supports

Local Organizations and Resources

In central Indiana, there are a number of dedicated organizations who can support you.

accessABILITY

AccessABILITY provides individuals with disabilities in central Indiana with the support, advocacy, and resources they need to lead self-directed lives.

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IN*SOURCE

IN*SOURCE helps parents of children with disabilities navigate the special education process in the state of Indiana. They help bridge the gap between schools and parents and we strive to connect the dots that become the individual path to success for children with disabilities.

Learn More

Indiana Family to Family

Indiana Family to Family provides information, training, and one-on-one support to Indiana families of children and youth with diverse health and mental health needs, and the professionals who serve them.

Learn More