Our Mission…
The Early Learning Institute's Childcare Support Services is dedicated to providing and promoting Developmental Services, Education & Support to Young Children, their Families and their Childcare Providers.
The Early Learning Institute supports the childcare field in the areas of child development, early intervention, and professional development.
Childcare Support Program (pdf)
Who is Served?
We have two primary components of our program: Inclusion Support for children identified as having special needs (children with an IEP, receiving Early Start services (IFSP), etc.) so they can attend their community childcare or preschool program. Developmental Referrals from providers when they have a concern about a child’s development.
What does the Program Do?
The program offers visits to Childcare Providers focused on a variety of areas from child development and curriculum enhancement to early identification and intervention for atypical children to building partnerships with the families of the children in their care. Each Childcare Support Specialist (CSS) acts as a conduit for issues among providers, including promoting linkages to trainings and to one another, offering ideas, resources, or professional development opportunities to address providers’ expressed needs, and developing opportunities for both Childcare Providers and parents to expand their knowledge of existing community resources.
How does the Program do this?
Assessment: We will observe the child in his/her childcare or preschool program, speak with teachers/ providers about the child, speak with the family, communicate with the child's Early Start or school district team (for a child with identified special needs), and use assessment tools when appropriate (when a child is not receiving services, but is showing signs of possible developmental needs). We will work with provider and family in setting goals related to the child’s success in childcare and suggestions to meet those goals.
Implementation: The early intervention specialist will then help implement the plan. This may include, but is not limited to: site visits, meetings, and curriculum preparation. We are not able to serve as a classroom aide – the goal of implementation is to support the teacher or provider in adapting her program.
Connection: The early intervention specialist will connect the provider with the child’s service team by explaining services, arranging visits by therapists, home teachers, special ed teachers, etc. The provider may also become part of the IFSP or IEP team (upon parent consent) and receive reimbursement for the cost of attending an IEP or IFSP if appropriate (up to $50 for cost of a substitute).
Special Programs?
What Kind of Special Programs?
Some Childcare Providers have requested specific help around things like
changing their play environment, or applying for a First 5 mini-grant.
Others developed a community program, for example disaster preparedness,
and worked together with their CSS to accomplish this. Still others wanted
a rotation of play dates in the park, and their CSS organized this. Not
all special program requests can be accommodated but all will be considered!
Where do Children with Special Needs fit in?
The CSS is a member of a service team that includes Early Intervention Specialists, Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist, etc. If a Childcare Provider has a specific concern about a particular child, generally the CSS brings the most appropriate member of the team to do an observation of the child, which will help determine what comes next. If warranted, a full developmental evaluation or a referral for some other service may be recommended. If this child has already been identified as having special needs, the support team can help the Childcare Provider in better understanding and meeting that child’s needs as well as working on goals that might be set out for that child. Of course, none of this happens without parent involvement and permission. The CSS and associate team can assist the Provider in appropriate ways to approach parents with concerns.
What about Parents?
All programs of the Early Learning Institute operate from the premise that Parents want what is best for their child and that Childcare Providers are also committed to providing the best possible care during their time with the child. We hope to connect families, teachers, and other professionals involved in working with a child to create consistent, nurturing childcare and preschool experiences. We are happy to speak to parents about our program and how it might fit their family’s needs. No observation or evaluation will be done on any individual child without parent permission.Home | Services | Events | Resources
© earlly learning institute
all rights reserved design by PixelOpus
