Inclusion Policy  

My World of Learning Child Care Association is committed to upholding Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-racism (EDIAA) principles by actively removing barriers to participation and ensuring our practices are inclusive, accessible, and anti-racist. We believe all children have the right to attend our centre. Throughout our program and daily routine, we use tools such as Quality Matters and the Nova Scotia Early Learning Curriculum Framework to provide an inclusive environment for all children.  By participating in Pyramid Model for Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children our educators are committed to teaching social-emotional skills.

We believe in working as a team with families through verbal and written daily updates about the children’s time at the centre.  Authentic assessments that summarize a child’s skills as observed at the day care are provided twice annually.  We welcome family involvement by encouraging families to participate by attending family meetings, joining the family committee, becoming volunteers to assist in the classroom and applying to be on the Board of Directors.

Our program is committed to a strength-based approach to inclusion. For children requiring additional supports, we develop and implement Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) or Routine-Based Plans (RBP) using a team approach including families, early childhood educators (ECEs), and other professionals. We actively collaborate and cooperate with Nova Scotia Early Childhood Development Intervention Services (NSECDIS) staff, inviting developmental interventionists to consult at the request of any team member. Support plans begin with completing functional assessments to form a working theory on why a behaviour is occurring. We make proactive changes to our activities and space so every child can meaningfully participate and play with peers. Plans include clear goals and strategies to help children learn new skills to meet the child’s needs. We assess and re-evaluate these plans regularly to make sure they grow along with the child.

Educators are required to attend professional learning opportunities each year.  They are encouraged to complete training on the subject of inclusion including Nova Scotia Early Learning Curriculum Framework, Pyramid Model for Social Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children, and EDIAA principles.  Resource materials are available to assist educators to be effective in providing inclusive care.

The centre applies annually for the Inclusion Support Grant through the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.  The Inclusion Support Grant (ISG) provides funding for an Inclusion Coordinator over our required licensing ratios. This dedicated role supports high-quality inclusive programming, the implementation of our Quality Growth Plan, and aids educators with their individual development plans.  The Inclusion Coordinator contributes to the Leadership Team’s Implementation Plan and is committed to completing the training pathway to become a Pyramid Model Internal Coach.

We submit detailed annual reports on how funding supports our inclusive practices and provide updates to our Quality Assurance Specialist. Families and staff can access the ISG Notification Letter, along with the grant’s terms and conditions, in the information binder found in the entrance hall.