Parents of children with special needs often find themselves training their child care provider.  In addition to giving information about the child, they model how to communicate with and gain the trust and cooperation of the child to the provider.  Many providers have not supported a child with a disability before.  They may be unsure of what to expect, how to get their point across, how to respond to behavior and what to tell you at the end of the day.

Tips:

• Avoid giving lots of detailed information about the disability
• Talk about your child and what he or she needs
• Make a simple one page fact sheet about your child to share
• Be sure the provider can contact you throughout the day as needed
• Avoid discussing problems at the end of the day when your child and others can overhear
• Invite the provider to tell you right away if they are feeling frustrated
• Do not have your child stay in a place where you would not want to spend the day at.

• Many infant development programs will offer to train a child care provider.
• Your local childcare association may be able to find a professional to speak to the group about the needs of children with disabilities.
• Some associations or counties will come to the provider home or center to answer questions about development.