Inclusion

At Lil’ Bears Childcare, we accept and welcome children of all abilities.  Our program supports the full inclusion of children who require additional support because of a physical, cognitive, social, or emotional need.  We follow federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to educating and caring for children with disabilities, including The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), The Rehabilitation Act Section 504 and The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

We believe that each child deserves an environment and experiences that promote growth in all areas of his or her development. We use program approaches that best meet the needs of each child and his or her family. Indoor and outdoor areas are arranged so all children can move freely and make choices based on their abilities, interests, and needs. Opportunities are provided to participate in social free play and routines throughout the day. We provide developmentally appropriate group experiences and encourage the socialization of every child with peers.

Input from the family is respected, valued, and encouraged as part of the decision-making process for their child. We work with parents/guardians and early intervention professionals who have valuable knowledge and expertise to share with each other. We value being involved with IFSP and IEP teams.

Lil’ Bears is committed to learning more about various disabilities and full inclusion as part of our annual training plan. We receive professional development in current areas of child development, research, theory, and practice.