HSE Regulation 5 WELCOMING THE CHILD WITH ADDITIONAL NEEDS INTO A CHILDCARE SETTING. Breda Mc Carthy, Early Years Manager, Health Service Executive - West

 Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No.2) Regulations 2006 and Explanatory Guide to Requirements and Procedures for Notification and Inspection

Inspected under Pre-School Regulations. (a) Full Day (b) Part-time (c) Sessional (d) Drop-In (e) Childminder (f) Overnight

Regulation 5 – 2006 Regulations  A person carrying on a pre-school service should ensure that each child’s learning, development and well being is facilitated within the daily life of the service through the provision of the appropriate opportunities, experience, activities interaction, material and equipment having regard to the age and stage of development of the child and the child’s cultural content

Regulation 9 – 2006 Regulations.  BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT  (1) A person carrying on a pre-school service shall ensure that no corporal punishment is inflicted on a pre-school child attending the service.  (2) A person carrying on a pre-school service shall ensure that no practices that are disrespectful, degrading, exploitive, intimidating, emotionally or physical harmful or neglectful are carried out in respect of any child.  (3) A person carrying on a pre-school service shall ensure that written policies and procedures are in place to deal with and to manage a child’s challenging behaviour and to assist the child to manage his or her behaviour as appropriate to the age and stage of development of the child.

Whole Child Perspective  Child Centred  Family Oriented  Inclusive  Action Oriented  Equitable  Integrated

Does your Service have an Ethos As well as a Set of Policies and Procedures?  Every Child has a right to a secure and stimulating environment to grow and learn.  Does your parent information leaflet reflect this ethos?

 THE SUCCESSFUL INCLUSION OF CHILDREN WITH ADDITIONAL NEEDS REQUIRES CAREFUL AND DETAILED PLANNING BEFORE AND AFTER ADMISSION.

Prior to Admission.  It is important that the child’s parents/carers are willing to work in partnership with the childcare staff in meeting their child’s needs.  It is essential that the child care staff have as much information as is available regarding the child.  Any additional information support or equipment needed should be planned for at an early stage.

Communicating With Parents - I  Parents information booklet containing information on the service, staff ratios opening hours, fees, policies and procedures, curriculum and facilities with the service.

Communicating With Parents - II  Policies regarding managing challenging behaviours.  Policies regarding sharing information regarding their child, confidentiality, record keeping, storage of records.  Observations by staff to monitor progress.

Communicating With Parents - III Policies o Administration of medications o Individual care plans for children with additional needs

Settling In Policy.  The child's admission may need to be more gradual than usual.  A “Staggered Settling” in period which allows children to gradually extend the time they spend in the setting will build their confidence and trust in the staff.  Parents should be encouraged to spend time in the service during the settling in period.  The length of settling in varies with each child.  Should a child become overly distressed a parent maybe contacted.

Play and Activities The planning of play and other activities should ensure that:-  The programme is broad and balanced so that the child with additional needs receive a wide variety of experiences to promote their learning.  A suitable range of materials and resources are provided to meet the child’s needs.  The child’s learning is observed.  That the child is able to progress at his/her own rate.

Family Support WHOLE CHILD PERSPECTIVE Based on a solid ecological understanding of children’s lives. I. Formal and informal supports II. Children’s innate capacity. III. Relationships around children.

When Problems Arise  Communicate  Listen  Seek Help:- H.S.E Galway Childcare Committee Early Intravention Service.  Be Solution Focused.

Finally  Promote quality and accessible early childhood care for every one. Health Service Executive - West Pre-School Service Galway.