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| Day Care Dilemma - Finding Special Needs Child Care |
Day care providers are popping up everywhere. Most people can find a great day care provider close to their home, however if you have a special needs child chances are the choices for day care providers is very slim. Many day care providers do not have adequately trained staff to care for children with special needs. Usually day care centers are independently owned business and the owners and operators do not have the resources or tools to handle children with special needs.
The first day care choice parents with special needs children usually make is leaving the child with a grandparent.
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Grandparents usually have the skills and knowledge to take care of their special needs grandchild on a daily basis. Since grandparents are involved in the life of a special needs child on a continual basis, having them care for the child during the day when the parents are not available can be a stable calming influence for the child. However, grandparents may not be the answer. Some grandparents live too far away from the child to take an active daily role in the special needs child's life. Or maybe the grandparents have health issues, which will preclude them from becoming a day care provider for their grandchild.
If you are having a problem finding a special needs child care provider, talk to your child's therapist and request referrals. Your therapist may know a retired therapist who would be more than happy to step out of retirement to become a day care provider. Many times therapists who work with special needs children burn out and are looking for a new career. Your request for assistance in finding a day care provider for your special needs child could actually put someone on a new career path.
Finally, if you are still having problems finding a day care provider for you special needs child, contact your local colleges and advertise for a nanny. Many schools offer programs for education of special needs children and you may find a great student who is interested in working the hours you need and can bond with your child. Students may have great knowledge but limited skills so you will have to monitor their work by conducting surprise visits or having a friend check in on them. Communicate with your student nanny on a consistent basis and you may end up with a great nanny at a price you never thought you could afford.
Finding a special needs day care provider for your child may be a challenge however with a little legwork and persistence, you will find a great day care provider that can meet all the requirements of your special needs child.
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