Child Care for Children with Special Needs

It's all about inclusion...

Many children, including those with disabilities and special needs, spend some time in a child care environment. Inclusive child care means bringing all children together regardless of ability or disability instead of keeping them apart.

FOR FAMILIES

What is Inclusive Child Care?
An inclusive child care program is dedicated to giving the best early care and education possible to ALL children by making sure every child, including children with special needs, feels welcome and important. Inclusion teaches children and adults some great life lessons in accepting others and ourselves as unique individuals with unique strengths and needs.

How Do I Find a Child Care Program That Meets My Child's Needs?
 You can call Community Connection for Child Care at 661.861.5200 or 877.861.5200 (Toll free) for help finding a suitable program. You can also search on your own, just as you would for any type of child care program:

  • Ask about the provider's training, education and experience.
  • Observe the caregiver interact with the children in the program. Does she or he seem warm and friendly, patient and involved?
  • Look at the children in the program. Do they seem happy and involved?
  • Ask to see a current license. Find out if the staff have been screened for child abuse/neglect.
  • Ask about the number of caregivers in the program. Are there enough adults to care for the number and ages of the children?
  • Ask about the program. Is a schedule posted? Is there time for children to work in small groups, play alone and rest?
  • Visit more than one program. Look at the facility. Is it clean, well lighted and cheerful? Are exits unblocked and are there fire and smoke detectors?

    arrow: Click here for more information on choosing quality child care for a child with special needs.

How Do I Talk with My Own or Potential Providers?

  • Talk clearly about your child's strengths and unique qualities.
  • Tell the child care provider about your child, his or her routine, likes, dislikes, what makes him or her happy or sad.
  • Be honest about what your child needs, including any special assistance or equipment.
  • Be willing to help your provider solve problems that might come up.
  • Remember that you know your child better than anyone else. Stand up for your child's rights and trust your knowledge and your ability to share what you have learned about your child.

    How Will Other Children React to a Child with Special Needs?
    Young children are very accepting. When they watch adults who are warm and accepting they will display warmth and acceptance. Rejection of children with special needs is unusual. In fact, one of the benefits of inclusive child care is increased sensitivity toward individual differences.

    RESOURCES

    FOR CHILD CARE PROVIDERS

    What Kinds of Special Needs Might I Encounter?
    Children with special needs include children of all abilities, cultures, races, and backgrounds. Like all children, they have individual interests, likes, and dislikes. Some children with special needs have physical disabilities, speech or other developmental delays, or difficulty interacting with other children or adults. Special needs may be mild to moderate to severe in range. Whatever the range of need, children with disabilities are more like other children than they are different--as they play, make friends, feel pleasure or sadness, and nurturing.

    The families need the same things all families need: respect, support and reassurance. Those with very young children may still be learning how to best care for their child. You can be a major source of support and information for them.

    Do Providers Need Special Skills or Equipment to Accept Children with Special Needs into Their Programs?
    Caring for children with special needs requires the same basic skills (patience, empathy, and acceptance of each child as an individual) that are need to care for any child. It means providing a developmentally appropriate environment for this child as well as all the children in the program. Some children with special needs use specialized equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, communication devices, hearing aids, etc.), but many do not. Most toys and activities are appropriate or can be easily adapted if necessary. Look to the child's family for information and guidance on the use of any special equipment.

    How Do I Get Started?
    When the family of a child with special needs approaches you, listen carefully. The parents or guardian are usually the best source of information on the needs and care of their child. Some questions you may wish to ask when you meet the family are:

    • Tell me about your child.
    • What is his or her daily routine?
    • What toys and activities does your child enjoy?
    • What makes your child happy or sad? How does he or she convey those feelings? How is he or she best comforted?
    • What are your child's greatest strengths? What are his or her greatest challenges?
    • Are there any special things we will need to do as we get acquainted?
    • Does your child require special equipment, medication, or therapy that I should know about?

    Community Connection for Child Care has services for all child care providers caring for children with special needs including:

    CARING FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS: RESOURCES FOR INCLUSION BY SPECIAL NEED (NNCC)

    INCLUSION

    ACTIVITIES & CURRICULUM

    HEALTH & SAFETY

    ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

    SERVICE AGENCIES/ORGANIZATIONS

    • Kern Early Start Program
      If your baby, or a baby you know, was born with a condition requiring special care, he or she may need special services.
    • Search and Serve
      Any individual that believes they know a child that might require special education intervention may call the Search and Serve office or their local school district office and talk with someone about their concerns. Programs and services from birth until age 21 are available to a child that has a disability.
    • KCSOS Programs for Infants and Toddlers
    • KCSOS Preschool: Programs for Children Ages 3-5
    • Claude W. Richardson Child Development Center
      The Richardson Center is a preschool educational setting in Bakersfield which provides a variety of educational and support services for children from birth to 5 years of age. Direct services are provided to high risk infants, preschool aged children with special needs, and full-day child development services for students from families that meet program eligibility requirements. For more information, please call 661.397.2351
    • Head Start programs
    • Asthma Home Visit Project
      Through the project, bilingual outreach workers provide free asthma education and support services to children with asthma and their families. The outreach workers make home visits and teach parents and children tools for asthma management, including early warning signs, environmental triggers, and proper use of medications. Outreach workers provide free spacers and peak flow meters (instruments to help manage asthma), and try to secure free nebulizers for families who cannot afford them. Children and their families are referred to the program through daycare providers and healthcare professionals. Please contact 661.327.1601.
    • Kern County Department of Mental Health
    • H.E.A.R.T.S Connection
    • Kern Regional Center
    • California Children Services

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