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 great life lessons in accepting others and ourselves as unique individuals with strengths and needs.

Child Care Providers Benefit from Inclusive Child Care in the following ways:

• Broadening teaching and personal experiences
• Expanding techniques for individualized activities
• Learning more about available resources
• Increasing opportunities to encourage acceptance of individual differences

Child Care Providers: How can I provide the best care for all children including those with special needs?

• Basic skills of patience, empathy, and acceptance of each child as an individual are needed to care for any child.
• Provide a developmentally appropriate environment for all children in the program including those with special needs.
• Provide toys that are appropriate or can be easily adapted.
• Be prepared to assist students with specialized equipment (wheelchairs, hearing aids, etc.) Look to the child's family for information and guidance on the use of any special equipment.
• Talk to the family openly, you are a part of the child's team:
• Ask parents to help you think through the child's day in your program to help identify what changes or adaptations are needed, if any. Ask the parent for general information about the child's disability.
• Ask family about the child's strengths and interests.
• With the parent's consent, consult any specialists (pediatrician, social worker, public health nurse, therapists) already working with the family.
• Be open to new ideas and suggestions.
• Be willing to participate in the child's care plan through an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Plan (IEP).