Inclusion Programs & Child Development Team (CDT)
Supporting Every Child at NCRC
At NCRC, we believe every child deserves opportunities to learn, participate, and thrive in an inclusive classroom community. Children develop at different rates and bring unique strengths, interests, and learning styles to the classroom. Our goal is to provide responsive supports that allow every child to access our play-based curriculum and experience success.
Our approach is built on collaboration among classroom teachers, families, and our Child Development Team (CDT). Together, we create supportive learning environments that recognize each child’s strengths while providing additional support when needed.
Child Development Team (CDT)
Every preschool classroom is supported by our Child Development Team (CDT), which includes an occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, and school counselor. Throughout the school year:
- CDT facilitates Play Pals: a play-based small group intervention.
- CDT monitors and supports each student's growth and development through ongoing school observations, small groups activities, and developmental screening tools.
- CDT helps create and implement all-school curricula.
- CDT meets with each teaching team frequently throughout the year to collaborate and to discuss ways to support both the strengths and challenges of each individual student.
- CDT works collaboratively with outside specialists (but do not provide individual therapy).
- NCRC’s speech-language pathologist employs speech and language screening procedures to promote early identification of children at risk for speech sound disorders, developmental language disorders.
- NCRC’s occupational therapist employs sensory and motor screenings to promote early identification of children at risk for developmental delay.
Play Pals: A Play-Based Small-Group Intervention
Play Pals is a weekly play-based small-group intervention designed and facilitated by the Child Development Team. The group provides additional opportunities for children to strengthen developmental skills through engaging, developmentally appropriate activities while practicing skills within a supportive peer environment. Play Pals activities support areas such as communication, social interaction, motor development, self-regulation, and early learning skills. Strategies and goals addressed during the group are reinforced within the classroom environment through continued collaboration between teachers and the Child Development Team.