Inside This Project

Inclusive Childcare Information

What is inclusive child care?  The term “inclusive child care” means two things.  First, children with and without disabilities, emotional or behavior problems or special health care needs are cared for together.  Second, each child participates as fully as possible in the child care program’s activities.  These two things apply whether the setting is a small family child care home, a child care center, a preschool or an after school program.  Parents must know their rights and their children’s rights when seeking child care.  The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to almost all child care settings.  The law clearly states that child care programs can not refuse to serve a child simply because the child has disabilities.

Finding and Keeping Inclusive Child Care:  A Parent’s Guide and Care Provider’s Resource Notebook” has been developed through the Packet Project, as a tool for parents with information as to options and resources for child care, to be shared with care providers as a resource notebook.  Templates are included which can be personalized with photos, articles, contacts, so as to be shared with the child care provider to help them to be a part of the child’s team.  With the notebook (in English or Spanish), care providers can become familiar with children who experience disability and be better equipped to fully include all children.  Parent_Notebook_on_Inclusive_Child_Care.pdf Encontrando_y_Conservando_Cuidado_Infantil_Bajo_Inclusion.pdf  Ways to use the Notebook:

Parents can:
• Find resources for child care
• Examine the benefits of inclusive child care for their child with a disability
• Introduce their child to care providers

Providers can:
• Become familiar with children who experience disability
• Gain support from the child’s team
• Be better equipped to fully include all children

This notebook is a work in progress and continues to evolve.

The Inclusive Child Care Program has a booklet for child care providers called Open Hearts, Open Doors:  Providing Inclusive Child Care.  It is available in print and on the web at Inclusive Child Care Publications in both English and Spanish.  Parents can share this booklet with their child care providers or prospective child care providers.  For print copies of this booklet or additional information and written materials on the ADA and child care, please contact the Inclusive Child Care Program at 971.673.2977.

Family And Community Together (FACT) is a family leadership coalition working to facilitate positive change in policies, systems and attitudes affecting Oregonians with disabilities or chronic health concerns and their families. More about FACT ...