The Child Care Inclusion Program General Information

The Child Care Inclusion Program provides support to families and licensed child care facilities for the inclusion of children with diverse needs or exceptional high special needs by providing grant funding. This funding assists with the costs of providing the necessary supports and services.

The program is based on the following principles:

• Every child has the right to be included in a program that is developmentally appropriate.
• When support services and program planning are provided early, they contribute to the optimum development of the child.
• Children benefit when families, child care providers and referring professionals work as a team.
• Families require child care services that meet their unique needs.
• In order to respond to the needs of families of children with diverse needs, child care facilities require support.
• Parents have the right and the responsibility to choose the child care program that is right for their child.

Eligibility

In order for a child care centre or a family child care home to receive funding under the Inclusion Program:

• the centre or home must be licensed by the Early Learning and Child Care Branch, Department of Learning;
• the child must require additional supports as determined by a qualified professional or agency; and
• for individual inclusion, the child must be enrolled in and attending the child care facility for at least 20 hours per month.

Individual Inclusion Grants

These grants assist with the additional cost of supporting a child with diverse needs, to a maximum of $300 per month, as recommended by the Child Care consultant, referring professional, the parents and the child care facility.

Enhanced Accessibility Grants

These grants assist with the additional cost of supporting a child with exceptionally high diverse needs who requires extensive or one-on-one caregiving beyond that which can be provided through an Individual Inclusion Grant.

The level of funding must reflect the actual costs of the additional supports required, to a maximum of $1,500 per month, as determined by the referring professional, the parents and the child care facility.

To be eligible, the parent/guardian(s) of the child must be employed or enrolled in a recognized education program.

Adapted Equipment Grants

These grants assist a child care facility with the cost of adapted or specialized equipment necessary for the inclusion of a child with diverse needs, as determined by the referring professionals, parents and the child care facility.

The maximum is $600 per year or, in exceptional circumstances, $1,200 in a year.

Training and Resource Grants

Training and Resource Grants assist a child care facility with the cost of training and the resources necessary for the inclusion of a child with diverse needs, as determined by the referring professionals, parents and the child care facility.

Maximum is $100 per year or, for Enhanced Accessibility, $200 in a year.

How to Apply

• The application process begins when a child's need for extra supports is identified. The child care facility will convene a meeting including the child's parent/guardian(s), the referring professional(s), staff of the child care facility or the family child care home provider and the Child Care Program Consultant.
• During the meeting, an application form which identifies the supports needed to facilitate inclusion and the level of funding required will be completed.
• Individual Inclusion Grants are approved for a period of up to one year. Enhanced Accessibility Grants are approved for up to six months.

Grants may be extended following a review and re-application process similar to the application procedure. The parent/guardian(s) will be asked to complete an evaluation form every six months.

For more information about child care in Saskatchewan, please contact the Early Learning and Child Care Branch office nearest you:

Regina - 787-4980
Saskatoon - 933-6071
Prince Albert - 953-3612
Moose Jaw - 694-3644
Weyburn - 848-2497
Yorkton - 786-5770
Meadow Lake - 236-7692
Swift Current - 778-8531
Melfort - 752-6164

or contact the Saskatchewan Early Childhood Association - www.skearlychildhoodassociation.ca/

The following brochures are also available from the Early Learning and Child Care Branch:

• A Parent's Guide to Choosing Child Care Services
• A Parents Guide to Ensuring Your Child has a Good Child Care Experience
• Building Effective Child Care Partnerships
• Caring for Children in your Home: Limiting the Number and Ages of Children
• Child Care Licensee Manual (pdf)
• Child Care Program
• Child Care Subsidies (pdf)
• Guide to Developing a Child Care Centre (pdf)
• The Child Care Inclusion Program
• The Family Child Care Home Program, Information for the Provider (pdf)