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Return to Table of Contents Parent Resource Package Section 3 - Helping You Find Your Way (Download Section 3) You are here: Parent Resource Package - Section 3 > Financial Supports Available > Supporting Children with Special Needs in Child Care Programs Supporting Children with Special Needs in Child Care Programs Information Children with special needs can be included in licensed, centre-based child care programs with the support of funding provided through the Department of Community Services' Early Childhood Development Services Section. These funds are designated to support the process of inclusion. They may be used to contribute to the salary of an early childhood special educator, or they may be used to purchase materials, equipment resources and/or training that will assist with this process. An Individual Program Plan (IPP) will guide the process by outlining developmental outcomes appropriate to that setting. It is best designed by a "team" of professionals including the child's parents, early childhood educators and other developmental professionals working with the child. The Director of a child care centre must complete an "Application for Supported Child Care Funding" on behalf of the child with special needs. Any one of the professionals working with the child must confirm and briefly describe the child's developmental needs on that form. For purposes of this funding, special needs are described as either a developmental delay or behavioral issue presented by the child that requires extraordinary intervention. Some situations will be discussed with the Centre Director prior to funding approval and acceptance of an application form will be communicated to the Centre in writing. Once funding is approved to support the process of inclusion, a Contract between the funding body - The Department of Community Services - and the Child Care Centre is signed. All approved costs must be paid for "up front" by the program. At the close of each month a claim for these approved costs is submitted to the Department of Community Services, Finance and Administration Section for processing. A cheque to cover approved costs will be returned to the Centre. It is intended that centre based child care will offer children both a developmentally and individually appropriate daily program in a natural setting (one in which they would participate in if they did not have a disability). "Developmentally appropriate" insures that infants and young children are engaged in play based activities to encourage development across all domains. "Individually appropriate" requires that these play based opportunities are individualized to address the child's personal sense of timing, personality, learning style, cultural and familial background. Because a child care facility can provide a consistent and developmentally appropriate daily program with staff, trained in early childhood special education, assigned to provide additional support to a child care program; the Supported Child Care Program effectively supports both parental participation in the workforce and/or a respite function for families. It also promotes peer group inclusion for all children in a particular catchment area. A smooth transition to school will be supported by communication between child care centres and the school the child with special needs will be attending. For further information please contact Early Childhood Development Services: (902) 424-6286.

Christina Schulze-Allen - EIIS Regional Coordinator Western Regional CAYAC, P.O. Box 520, Middleton Nova Scotia, B0S 1P0 Email: csa.cyiwg@ns.sympatico.ca	Phone: (902) 825-5377   Fax: (902) 825-5379
Supported by Kings Regional Rehabilitation Centre Technical Resource Centre