What To Look For In A Daycare Facility For A Physically Disabled Child
Posted on: 20 June 2016
When your child has a physical disability but no developmental issues, a regular daycare can be an excellent option to help them integrate with their peers. The issue is that you will need to make sure that the facility you choose is still able to meet the needs of your child. The following guide can help you determine what to look for when picking out the facility.
Is the building fully accessible?
Make sure the entire facility is accessible for your child, especially if they use a wheelchair and need wider doorways. Your child can be left feeling left out if they can't enter the room where their peers are engaging in an activity. Make sure that the entire facility has accessibility options, including outdoor play areas and classroom areas they may eventually use when they enter older classroom groups.
What is the teacher to student ratio?
Naturally you want the lowest amount of students per teacher as possible to ensure your child gets the attention they need and deserve. It's even better if the daycare facility has classroom aids on hand that can give your child one-on-one attention or help if they need it throughout the day. Ask if any of the teachers or aids have experience or training with helping children with physical disabilities, as well, since this can be beneficial for your child.
Are outside therapists allowed in the classroom?
Depending on your child's disability and therapy plan, there may be situations where your child's occupational therapist needs to visit the daycare to help develop plans for tackling some of the physical challenges your child may face in this environment. Make sure the daycare is open to these visits and willing to work with the therapist to implement treatment advice where feasible. This can help your child better integrate into the daycare environment and allow them greater options for playing with and keeping up with their peers.
What allowances is the daycare willing to make for your child?
Make sure the daycare is wiling to ensure that planned activities are suitable for your child's needs at some level. This means that field trips, like nature hikes, include wheelchair accessible paths, for example, or that group games can be altered in a manner to include your child. If a daycare facility is not willing to include your child in all activities, it is probably best to look further afield for the perfect center.
Contact a local daycare center like Youthland Academy to get started.
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