Inclusive Programs for Young Children

The Exceptional Child: Inclusion in Early Childhood EducationK. Eileen Allen, Glynnis E. Cowdery

Chapter 3

Compare and Contrast

Quality care

according to

mothers

Quality care

according to best practice

High Quality Care

• According to NAEYC• Developmentally appropriate

• Age appropriate• Individually appropriate

• Responsive to culture and social context of children and families• For children with special needs, must include specialized services

Trilemma of High Quality Care

quality

affordabilityavailability

Various Programs

• Family childcare• Center childcare – in churches and in centers• Corporate childcare – not available in our area• Preschools – in our area, they are in churches (Rainbow Connection, Kids’ Place, etc.)• Public school preschool programs – NC PreK; some in our schools, some at area

daycares• Community-based programs – not available in our area• Religious-based – Grace Christian, several church preschools in our area• Head Start – Federal Program at many of our public schools• School-Age Programs – Examples: After School programs• Recreation Programs – Examples: YMCA, City Park

Supports and Services

• Staff knowledge of disability• Individualized therapy (OT, PT, speech)• Support personnel• Best practices

• Research based• Value-based• Family-centered• Multicultural• Cross-disciplinary • Age appropriate• Normalized

Inclusive Programs – Birth to Two

• Secure, responsive relationships and attachments• Intentional communication• Safe and secure environment• Predictable routines• Engaging equipment and materials• Respectful, reciprocal relationships with families

• How does this differ from high quality childcare for ALL children. . . Or does it?

Inclusive Programs – Three to Five

• Positive physical and social classroom environment• Caring relationships• Supportive and challenging learning environments that promote

independence• Promote all areas of development• Social-emotional• Communication and literacy development• Physical development• Creative development

• Respectful, reciprocal relationships with parents

Inclusive Programs – Six to Eight

• Developmentally appropriate classrooms• Promote lifelong learning in a community of learners• Learner centered• Active play• Integrated curriculum• Promote positive social-emotional development• Assessment of learning• Respectful, reciprocal relationship with parents