Providing Inclusive Child Care

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All licensed child care facilities in Manitoba are required to have an inclusion policy,  provide inclusive programming, and ensure that individual program plans are in place for children with additional support needs.

• How to Write an Inclusion Policy
• Inclusive Enrollment and Discharge Policies
• Inclusive Practice
• Roles and Responsibilities

How to Write an Inclusion Policy

Developing an inclusion policy supports high quality, inclusive early learning and child care. Your policy  should be based on the principles of inclusion and adapted to your specific program.

The guide below will help you develop your inclusion policy. It provides general information and the steps to writing an inclusion policy statement. If you already have an inclusion policy, you can use this guide to review and revise it, if necessary.

Writing an Inclusion Policy: A Guide for Child Care Centres and Homes (PDF)

Inclusive Enrollment and Discharge Policies

Licensed facilities are responsible for establishing their own enrollment and discharge policies.  It is important to remember that these policies must not contravene human rights legislation or other provincial or federal laws.

In Manitoba, discrimination under The Human Rights Code is treating a person or group differently, to their disadvantage and without reasonable cause, based on a protected characteristic, such as ancestry, age or disability. Discrimination is prohibited in activities such as employment, housing, and services available to the public.

For additional information on the subject of human rights, contact:

Manitoba Human Rights Commission
Telephone: 204-945-3007 in Winnipeg;
204-726-6261 in Brandon;
204-627-8270 in The Pas;
or toll-free at 1-888-884-8681.
Email: hrc@gov.mb.ca.
Website: http://www.manitobahumanrights.ca/

Further, each facility’s Code of Conduct must include a statement noting that the following is unacceptable: iii) Discriminating against another person unreasonably on the basis of any characteristic set out in subsection 9(2) of The Human Rights Code.

For more information, see: How to Develop Enhanced Safety Plans and Codes of Conduct (PDF).

Inclusive Practice

Child care professionals are responsible for meeting the needs of all children in their care. Inclusive practice is accomplished by providing equitable access and supporting the diverse needs of children regardless of ability. Physical spaces, daily programming and activities are adapted, planned and carried out for children to learn from each other and participate together.

High quality, inclusive programs are shaped by the diverse and unique experiences, perspectives, skills and talents of the children, families, and educators. Everyone has a role in inclusive practice!

Everyone in a child care centre, nursery school or family/group child care home should be aware of each child’s developmental goals and the support needed to achieve them. For example: during group time, an early childhood educator can give a a child an athletic ball to sit and bounce on. This satisfies the child's need for motion and the IPP goal of socialization by providing an activity where the child can watch, listen and engage with their peers. Goals for children with additional support needs are written in the child’s Individual Program Plan (IPP) and must be incorporated into the daily program.

Child care professionals are responsible for meeting the needs of all children in their care.

Roles and Responsibilities in Supporting Inclusive Practice

Facility Leadership (Boards of Directors, Directors, Supervisors and Home Providers)

• Write policies to reflect inclusive practice
• Review, update and uphold the facility’s Inclusion Policy
• Ensure a flexible curriculum, schedule and program experiences are planned and implemented based on children's strengths and gifts
• Ensure learning environments are organized and modified to support children’s emerging self-regulation skills, independence, exploration and interaction
• Provide direction to educators on how to accommodate needs of children
• Facilitate connection, ongoing communication and sense of belonging for families
• Collaborate with professionals and service providers to provide and maintain an inclusive environment
• Support educators in accessing professional development and training opportunities related to diversity and inclusion
• Provide appropriate oversight for timely and accurate submissions of monthly payment request forms

Child Care Professionals (Early Childhood Educators, Child Care Assistants and Home Providers)

• Demonstrate positive attitudes when making changes to make accommodations
• Be aware of the goals of children’s IPPs and support them in everyday activities
• Work as a team with parents and other professionals to develop, carry out and review IPPs for children with additional support needs
• Pursue training and professional development in inclusive practice
• Seek opportunities for children to develop friendships
• Meet children “where they’re at”
• Ensure the physical environment reflects the diversity of the facility's population and community, is accessible and is adaptable
• Provide support that meets children’s needs, allows children to fully participate in activities and routines and respects children’s autonomy
• Observe, document and reflect on children’s play to build high quality activities based on children’s interests, abilities and exploration
• Model being open and welcoming to all children and families
• Engage and involve families in the program

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