Inclusive Child Care

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.

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Finding Inclusive Child Care

Resources and strategies to help parents and caregivers locate and choose a quality, inclusive child care setting

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.

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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?

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.

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.

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

“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.

Inclusive Child Care

Choosing Child Care for Your Child with Special Needs

Advocating for Your Child’s Needs

Advocating for your child shouldn’t be difficult

Finding Inclusive Child Care

Choosing Child Care for Your Child with Down Syndrome

Understanding Medicaid Waivers

Special Ed 101

Virtual Special Needs Panel

Inclusive Child Care Checklist

Early Education Programs for All Children

Inclusive Child Care

Access

Participation

Supports

Finding an Inclusive Program

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