Niagara Region Children’s Services has launched a pilot program in partnership with Niagara Children’s Centre to expand Special Needs Services and access to Resource Consultants (RCs) across all 23 EarlyON Centres in Niagara. Given that many children we serve are not in licensed childcare (less than 30%) where RCs are located, this new model allows children access to an early years environment with trained RCs who can support parents/caregivers and their children as they prepare for school.

Our RCs work with EarlyON Centre staff to promote an inclusive environment for children who may require extra developmental support. We offer equipment modifications and visuals for every learner and work directly with families to make them feel welcome and a sense of belonging within the Centre. We develop goals with families and offer strategies to use within the EarlyON Centre and at home.

The model offers a safe, engaging environment for children and facilitates peer interactions and parental engagement. We offer both an integrated model where our families join regular play with community families and a simultaneous group that runs in a separate room at the same time as community programming. This allows children who need more time to regulate the time and space to do so with additional supports.

The success of the RC program in EarlyON Centres relies on our collaborative partnership and the provision of an inclusive, welcoming environment where all children can thrive.