Early Childhood Care

Empowering Early Development: The Impact of Early Intervention Services 

Early intervention services help infants, toddlers, and young children with developmental delays or other disabilities achieve cognitive, social, emotional, communicative, and physical development. Services may include occupational therapy to help infants learn to hold their bottle; physical therapy to help them learn to roll over; or speech therapy to help them learn to eat or speak. Most early intervention services take place in the home or at childcare facilities in the local community. 

Early intervention helps to minimize the need for special education and related services once infants and toddlers reach school age. Early childhood intervention programs have been shown to yield benefits in academic achievement, regulating behavior, employment success, and more.  

Make the First Five Years Count: A Child Development Screening Tool 

Throughout the critical first years of life, early intervention services and support can have a significant impact on a child’s ability to learn new skills and overcome challenges to increase success in school and life. To help parents make the most of these five years, we encourage parents and caregivers to stay informed and identify early signs of developmental delays.  

Building a Strong Start with Inclusive Child Care Options 

High-quality child care is a priority for parents of children with and without disabilities. Quality care often means offering a safe and friendly atmosphere, with approachable, well-trained staff, and a low child-to-caregiver ratio. Child care centers that meet this criteria are not always easy to come by, particularly for parents of children with disabilities. The Easterseals Child Development Center Network responds to these needs by offering top-quality inclusive child care at centers across the country.  

What Makes Easterseals’ Child Care Different? 

Placing children with and without disabilities in the same learning environment gives children the opportunity to experience diversity. As a version of the real world in a smaller setting, these inclusive settings can help children to understand, respect, and accept each other early in life, teaching them age-appropriate communication and social skills. 

According to Vickie Robinson, a developmental therapist at Easterseals DuPage and Fox Valley, the benefits of inclusive child care include, “meaningful friendships; increased understanding and acceptance of diversity; respect for others with diverse characteristics; an ability to help others; and the preparation of all students for adult life in an inclusive society.” 

In addition, children without disabilities have the benefit of learning from teachers who are trained to work with different learning styles and provide individualized education plans that address the specific needs and goals of each student. Early intervention services and therapies are provided as part of the school day for students who need them.