Choosing Quality Child Care for a Child with Special Needs

Why is quality child care important for my child with special needs?

Most children, including those with disabilities and special needs, spend some time in a child care environment during early childhood as well as while attending school. In a quality child care environment, caregivers respond positively to differences in children’s abilities, interests and experiences. Children with and without disabilities develop a greater appreciation of each other and of individual differences.

The focus is on planned developmental activities individualized or in small groups. The environment will provide needed predictability and routine, as well as novelty and stimulation. Your child with special needs will grow and learn physically, emotionally, intellectually, and socially along side his/her peers.

Good staff to child ratios allow for individual attention and help build strong relationships with caring, consistent adults. You and your child’s caregivers will develop a mutually respectful communication system, building and enhancing understanding and trust, leading to optimal development of your child.

Children who participate in quality child care programs are better prepared to enter public school, and are more empowered to maximize their independence and acceptance into society. Your child will be interacting positively, learning from and making friends with a diverse group of children in a “natural environment,” as provided for in federal law.  Some of these children will be developing more typically, and will be role models for your child.

You will be more productive at work or home when you know your child is in a program that emphasizes health, nutrition and safety, as well as positive learning experiences.

Selecting a quality child care program

1. Find the Easter Seals Child Development Center near you or call your local child care resource and referral agency. For help locating your local agency, contact Child Care Aware (1-800-424-2246)
2. Call the state agency or agencies responsible for children with special needs.  Ask for local contacts.
3. Contact your local school district and local early intervention program for resources and help.
4. Ask other families; check community resource and support groups
5. Contact other national/state/local organizations whose members provide services to children with special needs.

Once you have several referrals, speak with the director or family care provider in person.  Ask about availability, hours, fees, accessibility, and other areas of interest. Schedule visits with the programs you are most interested in.  Look, listen and ask questions in all classrooms or areas.

Take these documents with you as you look for a program for your child

Ask questions and feel free to take notes about what you see and hear.

• Five key indicators of quality child care (.pdf)
• Identifying quality in child care (.pdf) 

These documents are in the Adobe PDF format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to view them. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, you can download it for free by clicking on the Adobe graphic below.
 

Contact Easter Seals for more information about Easter Seals Child Development Centers.