An Inclusive Child Care or Preschool Environment
Inclusion values each child as a member of the community. It honors his or her diverse and unique gifts and contributions. All children benefit from the lessons of inclusion: respect, kindness, and appreciation for everyone’s differences. These values stay with children long after they leave preschool.

If your child has special needs, familiarize yourself with your child’s rights as outlined in the American with Disabilities Act. If you decide to enroll in an inclusive preschool program that meets your needs and standards, find out:

• Whether the child care providers have training and experience with children who have special needs
• What schedules and routines the provider has, in case your child needs accommodations
• If the environment will be a good match for your child’s particular needs

Make sure the child care providers have accurate information about your child’s needs. Open discussion about any disabilities and needs is the beginning of forming a partnership between your family and the child care program. Consider concerns the provider may have. Work with the provider to ensure the best quality of care for your child.

References

http://www.naeyc.org/
National Association for the Education of Young Children website. “A Good Preschool for Your Child”
http://sales.naeyc.org/Itemdetail.aspx?Stock_No=517&Category=CBrochure

Related Articles
Preschool Preview Book
Toolkit: Developing A Picture/profile Of Your Child