Building Personnel Capacity to Facilitate Inclusion

Building the Capacity of Child Care Personnel to Facilitate Inclusion

Nancy Striffler

As the concept of inclusion is embraced more fully, child care settings are being considered as viable service delivery options for children with disabilities. Are personnel in these settings prepared to meet the motor, language, and social needs of children with disabilities?

Quality child care is a natural environment where young children with disabilities can learn and grow. Families of all children, in all communities, need child care where they feel their child is safe and happy, and where the child care provider understands how their child learns and grows.

Most states have developed comprehensive systems of professional development (CSPD) for early care and education personnel with the goal of providing quality child care by competent professionals. To what extent do these systems include disability issues and the child care needs of young children with disabilities and their families? An example of promising practice in the states is offered here featuring Oregon.