ERIC Number: ED398709
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1996-Apr
Pages: 55
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Serving Children with Special Needs in Your Child Care Facility.
Searl, Julia, Ed.
This manual provides information to caregivers on how to successfully develop a child care center that includes children with disabilities. The benefits of inclusion for children, parents, and providers are identified. Principles for developing an inclusive program are noted, such as developing a partnership with a special education agency. The guide stresses the necessity of developing a philosophical mission statement on inclusion, clarifying lines of authority and roles of administrators, and careful monitoring of money and contracts involved in inclusive programming. Also covered are annual, weekly, and daily schedules; space requirements; accessibility standards; the critical importance of training and staff development; strategies for family involvement; and the elements of successful collaboration. Indicators of a good inclusive program and factors that affect survival of inclusive programs are listed, including a match of values among families, the child care program, and the special education community; a community-wide philosophy of acceptance of diversity; and resolution of differences through a problem-solving strategy. The appendix includes a list of definitions/abbreviations, a guide for child caregivers for determining a child's need for services, a guide to staff teaming, a sample mission statement, and a listing of 14 resources (organizational, print, and videos). (CR)
Descriptors: Accessibility (for Disabled), Caregiver Child Relationship, Day Care, Day Care Centers, Disabilities, Early Childhood Education, Inclusive Schools, Infant Care, Mainstreaming, Program Development, Social Integration, Staff Development, Teamwork
Dianne Apter, Early Childhood Direction Center, 805 South Crouse Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13244.
Publication Type: Guides - Non-Classroom
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Practitioners
Language: English
Sponsor: National Inst. on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (ED/OSERS), Washington, DC.
Authoring Institution: Early Childhood Inclusion Network, Syracuse, NY.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A