Finding the Right Childcare
Finding quality childcare is not an easy task for any parent. For a parent of a child with disabilities, it can seem out of reach. Trusting someone else to care for your child, whether it is for all-day care or short amounts of time seems hard enough. When your child has special needs, it can get even more tricky. This page aims to help parents of children with special needs find accessible child care.
Finding a Child Care Provider
If you want to make sure your child with special needs is in a childcare setting that has the experience and training for children with disabilities, there may be help in your search for the right childcare provider. The Medical Home Portal lists childcare providers for children with special needs (see Child Care, Special Needs (see RI providers [12])). Care.com also has a search option to find childcare providers with experience caring for children with special needs. You may be able to find help locating childcare in your area from your region's Early Intervention programs, your local school districts, and from disability-specific organizations. Relatives and friends may also be able to offer suggestions. Be creative and spread a wide net.
Talking With Child Care Providers
Legal Considerations
Financial Assistance
Child can be expensive. Some families may qualify for financial assistance, based on their income, type of child care needed, and state rules. The Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) is a federal program that subsidizes child care so parents can work, go to school or training programs.
Resources
Information & Support
For Parents and Patients
Rhode Island Kids Connect Fact Sheet (EOHHS) ( 216 KB)
KIDS CONNECT provides specialized services at DCYF licensed childcare centers that can help children with special needs participate,
play, and learn along with their typically-developing peers. KIDS CONNECT provides an additional staff member in the classroom
to support the child with special health care needs. For some children, nursing care is available for up to one hour per day.
Revised 2016; Rhode Island Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
Rhode Island Hoja Informativa de Kids Connect - Spanish ( 89 KB)
Kids Connect es un programa que ofrece servicios especializados en guarderías infantiles autorizadas por el Departamento de
la Niñez, Juventud y Familia, que son servicios que pueden ayudar a niños con necesidades especiales a participar, jugar y
aprender junto con otros niños de su edad cuyo desarrollo es normal.
Child Care Aware
Child Care Aware helps families learn more about the standards for quality child care and a state -by-state locator for programs.
This is also where you will find your local Childcare Reference and Referral (CCR&R) and your state's inspection reports,
their quality rating (QRIS), and the information on required background checks.
Care.com
This website helps match you up with babysitters, nannies, daycare, special needs care, tutors and camps.
Family Caregiver Alliance
Here, you'll find information about support groups, education, and advocacy news for family caregivers. A navigator helps
locate state-specific services.
Services for Patients & Families in Rhode Island (RI)
Service Categories | # of providers* in: | RI | NW | Other states (3) (show) | | NM | NV | UT |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Child Care, Special Needs | 12 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | |||
Child Care Providers | 14 | 1 | 5 | 72 | 21 | |||
Early Intervention for Children with Disabilities/Delays | 13 | 3 | 34 | 30 | 51 | |||
Local Support Groups, Disability/Diag | 19 | 5 | 19 | 40 | 94 |
For services not listed above, browse our Services categories or search our database.
* number of provider listings may vary by how states categorize services, whether providers are listed by organization or individual, how services are organized in the state, and other factors; Nationwide (NW) providers are generally limited to web-based services, provider locator services, and organizations that serve children from across the nation.
Authors & Reviewers
Author: | Tina Persels |
Reviewer: | Mindy Tueller, MS, MCHES |
2019: update: Tina PerselsR |
2013: first version: Gina Pola-MoneyR |