Inclusion Programs
An inclusive school community broadens each child's perspective and brings added gifts to the program.
NCRC’s inclusive environment educates children of varying levels and abilities. By providing early intervention, individualized goals, and positive modeling, NCRC gives students with special needs the best opportunities for success. NCRC’s inclusion program creates the least restrictive environment, highlights strengths, and helps children reach their full potential. The methods and strategies that are employed for students with special needs also benefit typically developing children by supporting the learning style of each child. The inclusive classroom environment promotes that development of respect, empathy, compassion, and acceptance of all students.
NCRC INCLUSION PROGRAMS
Early Beginnings
NCRC’s Early Beginnings Program is an interdisciplinary play-based intervention program serving up to six children enrolled in an Early Learning–tier classroom. It offers specialized instruction to children who have been identified as needing additional supports and adaptations as well as family and caregiver support.
About the program:
- Children participate in an interdisciplinary play-based group one morning a week from early October to early May. Directing teachers and the NCRC Child Development Team work together to engage the children in small group instruction targeting all developmental domains: social-emotional, communication, self-help, fine/gross motor, and cognitive skills. Weekly parent participation is required for this program through a series of parent education opportunities including a weekly, in-person parent group meeting with the School Counselor on Wednesday mornings, from 8:45 am to 9:30 am. The focus of the parent meeting is to discuss child development, parenting strategies, and resources in the community.
PROGRAM COMPONENTS & HOME VISITS:
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In order to promote generalization of current curriculum targets in the home environment, Early Beginnings families are scheduled for home visits in approximately three- to six-week intervals. For each home visit, a representative from CDT teams up with one of the Early Learning teachers to engage both parent and child in games and activities that follow the classroom themes, enrich speech and language skills, and reinforce sensory motor skills and social play.
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All children who participate in EB have a Classroom Support Plan (CSP) created for them in collaboration with the CDT and the classroom teachers. The CSP identifies developmental goals for children, and is utilized as a guide for promoting growth and development across all classroom, small group, specials, and outdoor activities. The CSP is particularly helpful for planning activities for your child both in the classroom and on the home visit. Although home visits are not considered therapy sessions, they do offer parents an opportunity for extra support in promoting their child’s development. Families are encouraged to share not only their triumphs, but also their challenges so that home visits can be tailored to meet immediate needs.
Once a child transitions from the Early Beginnings Program into NCRC’s Preschool tier they will typically be invited to attend the weekly Play Pals program.
Play Pals
The Play Pals program is a weekly, multi-sensory/enrichment group designed and implemented by the Child Development Team (CDT). It is supported by a generous endowment and is free for all participants throughout their years at NCRC.
The group is for Early Beginnings alums as well as others who benefit from additional support with social interactions, motor skills, speech and language development, or self-regulation. All children who participate in Play Pals have a CSP (Classroom Support Plan) created for them in collaboration between the CDT and the classroom teachers. The CSP identifies developmental goals for children, and is utilized as a guide for promoting growth and development across all classroom, small group, specials, and outdoor activities. There are targeted goals for each unit that are adapted for each child’s individual needs. Using a dedicated, secure, and private NCRC App, CDT sends weekly group photos and a summary of skills addressed regularly to parents. The photos from the groups are intended to be used at home to facilitate discussion between parents and children about the day’s events, and to support the carry over of skill building activities at home.
Child Development Team (CDT)
NCRC's Inclusion programs are run by the Child Development Team (CDT).
The Child Development Team (CDT) is an integral part of NCRC's program for children who require additional support. The team—NCRC's School Counselor, Occupational Therapist, and Speech-Language Pathologist—not only provide weekly enrichment groups for children through the Early Beginnings and Play Pals programs, but also assist in developing Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) and support teachers in providing accommodations and appropriate strategies for EVERY NCRC student. Members of CDT also partner with all families in their journey through the early childhood years, by providing parent education sessions, guidance for supporting growth at home, and connections to outside resources when necessary.
The Child Development Team(CDT) supports every child, family, and teacher regarding: Social-Emotional Development, Sensory Regulation, Self-Help skills, Motor skills, and Speech & Language Development throughout their early educational experience.