As part of KW Habilitation, Early Learning, Child Care and Family Resources (ELCCFR) is funded and designed to support licensed early learning and child care programs in meeting the needs of children from 0-12 years of age who have any identified need OR who struggle in any area of their development. A referral can be made by a parent, physician, community agency, or early learning and child care centre with written consent from you, the parent/guardian. A referral is made by contacting our child care Special Needs Access Point (SNAP) program.
Resource Consultants support licensed Early Learning and Child Care programs to promote a sense of belonging for all children in their programs, considering their care environment, individual needs, relationships, and approaches to curriculum.
Supports for Children Aged 0-4
Resource Consultants are working with children from birth to school entry in licensed child care programs across Waterloo Region. They work in a Tiered Service Model and are able to support children in all three tiers. At Tier 1, which is “beneficial for all”, the Resource Consultants visit and observe programs regularly and provide resources, training and support to the ELCC team. Consultation is provided to support all children in the group on topics related to children’s development, developmental and/or emotional regulation strategies, classroom management, classroom environment and other general program strategies. At Tier 2, which is “targeted to some”, Resource Consultants are able to target individual or small groups of children to work on a short-term, targeted goal over the course of a few specific visits. At Tier 3, which is “specific to one”, Resource Consultants can provide more focused supports such as assessments, individual support plans, resources/referrals, and strategies based on individual needs. A Resource Consultant may also be providing support for a child who is transitioning to school at a Tier 3 level.
Supports for Children Aged 4-12
Resource Consultants are able to offer Tier 1 and Tier 2 supports to licensed after-school child care programs. They can visit and observe programs to provide resources, training and support to the ELCC team. Consultation is provided to support all children in the group on topics relating to children’s development, developmental and/or emotional regulation strategies, classroom management, classroom environment and other general program strategies.