Skip to content
en English
am Amharicar Arabiczh-CN Chinese (Simplified)nl Dutchen Englishfr Frenchde Germanel Greekgu Gujaratiht Haitian Creoleiw Hebrewhi Hindiig Igboit Italianja Japaneseko Koreanml Malayalammy Myanmar (Burmese)ps Pashtopl Polishpt Portuguesepa Punjabiru Russianes Spanishsw Swahiliuk Ukrainianvi Vietnameseyo Yoruba
Child Care Answers Logo
  • News & Stories
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Resource Center
    Featured Resource
    Choosing Care
    Learn more
    • All Resources
    • Family Help Guide
    • Child Care Program Help Guide
    • Employer Help Guide
    • Community Help Guide
  • Our Focus
    Featured Article
    Effects of Child Care on Businesses and the Economy
    Learn more
    • Families
    • Child Care Programs
    • Community Partners
    • Employers
    • Additional Reports and Data
  • Team
    • Our Expertise
    • Our Staff
    • Our Board
    • Careers
  • Get Involved
    • Partner with Us
    • Advocate
    • Volunteer
  • Find Child Care
  • Donate
  • Resource Center
    • All Resources
    • Family Help Guide
    • Child Care Program Help Guide
    • Employer Help Guide
    • Community Help Guide
  • Our Focus
    • Families
    • Child Care Programs
    • Community Partners
    • Employers
    • Additional Reports and Data
  • Team
    • Our Expertise
    • Our Staff
    • Our Board
    • Careers
  • Get Involved
    • Partner with Us
    • Advocate
    • Volunteer
  • Find Child Care
  • Donate
  • News & Stories
  • Events
  • Contact
arrow back All Resources

Inclusive Child Care

Family
Care & Education Options Special Needs

Choosing Child Care for Your Child with Special Needs

Early childhood inclusion means all children have access to high-quality early childhood programs. With access, they gain membership and meaningful participation in a learning community. Inclusion in high-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 special needs, this feeling may be magnified. 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. Advocating for your child shouldn’t be difficult. 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.

Advocating for your child shouldn’t be difficult

  • 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.

Request help finding careSpecial Education

Featured Resource

Finding Inclusive Child Care

Resources and strategies to help parents and caregivers locate and choose a quality, inclusive child care setting
Read More Download View in Spanish
https://childcareanswers.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Child-Care-Down-Syndrome-Featured-Video1.png play button
Featured Video

Choosing Child Care for Your Child with Down Syndrome

In partnership with Down Syndrome Indiana, we discuss the types of care in Indiana and how to choose the best program for your family. Whether you are parenting a child with Down syndrome or another exceptional need, this video will provide you with the tools to make an informed child care decision.

Medicaid-Waiver-Video-Grid1
play button

Understanding Medicaid Waivers

play button

Special Ed 101

play button

Virtual Special Needs Panel

More About

Inclusive Child Care Checklist

When observing and listening, ask yourself:

  • Are families and children welcomed, and are children greeted 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?

  • Are the majority of planned developmental activities 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?

  • Are children with disabilities included socially and engaged in meaningful activities throughout the day?

  • Are children with disabilities given support and assistance when needed?

  • Does the program freely accept children who are not yet walking or toilet-trained? Are these children placed in a setting with their same-age peers?

  • Are therapeutic and/or support services such as occupational, physical, and speech therapies welcomed and/or provided on-site?

  • Does communication between parents and staff seem open and ongoing? Are events and information shared with families regularly?

Read More

Early Education Programs for All Children

Inclusive Child Care

Federal law says 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.

early childhood education
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.
previous slide
next slide

Finding an Inclusive Program

We can help you get started down the road to making this important decision. As you move through the decision process, we offer support to help you understand what factors to consider when choosing inclusive care.
Find Child Care
Related Resources

Read more from our team of experts!

Resource

Toileting the Exceptional Child

July 1, 2021
Resource

Parenting Children with Special Needs

July 13, 2021
Resource

Special Education

July 20, 2021
Newsletter

Early care and education news to your inbox

Count on our newsletters to get you the most important early care and education news, when you need it. We send a different newsletter each month to either families, child care professionals, or communities/employers. Sign up for one or all today!

“Center for Inclusive Child Care.” Center For Inclusive Child Care – Resources, Training, Support – Minnesota. Accessed August 17, 2021.

Childcare. “What Is Inclusive Child Care?” eXtension Alliance for Better Child Care, August 15, 2019.

“Quality Inclusive Child Care Checklist.” California Childcare Health Program. Accessed August 17, 2021.

 

CCA Logo White

Contact Us

info@childcareanswers.org
Phone: 317.636.5727 Toll Free: 800.272.2937
1776 N. Meridian St., Suite 101
Indianapolis, IN 46202

Our Partners

FSSA Logo

© 2023 Child Care Answers. All Rights Reserved.

Subscribe Privacy Policy
Twitter Logo
Facebook Logo
Instagram Logo
LinkedIn Logo
YouTube Logo
tiktok logo

What are you looking for?

Activity Ideas Businesses Community Families Family Engagement Food and Nutrition General Health & Safety Inclusion Infant and Toddler Last Day Q&A Pre-K Preschool Providers School Age