The goal of the SPOT program is to support Early Childhood Educators and childcare providers in their programs as they encourage the speech-language, physical and social development of children from birth to 6 years of age.
The SPOT program, which stands for Speech-Language, Physical, and Occupational Therapy, is an outreach service that promotes and supports the inclusion of children who have special needs or disabilities in licensed preschool or day care programs in Waterloo Region.
At the time of assessment, SPOT team members provide assessment, a written report, a feedback meeting with parents and staff offering recommendations and consultation when a developmental concern is identified regarding a child.
Specifically, SPOT therapists support childcare programs by:
- Confirming the observations of Early Childhood Educators; further defining children’s abilities and needs through developmental assessments in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, or Speech Language Pathology
- Supporting additional referrals to community resources including KidsAbility in-centre services
- Providing information, strategies, and resources for the family and childcare that can be carried out in the play-based learning environment of the childcare setting as well as at home
- Learning about the daily routines, activities and curriculum at the childcare and working as a team with staff to develop opportunities for changes that will support every child’s developmental needs
Follow-up consultations will occur at the request of the child care. A child's file will remain open for 6 months following assessment. If at that time, the services of the SPOT therapist have not been requested, the child care and parents will be contacted. If the child care does not feel further consultation is needed, the child will be discharged from SPOT services. Should concerns arise following discharge the child can be re-referred providing eligibility criteria is met.
SPOT services are funded by the Region of Waterloo, through KidsAbility’s membership in the Child Care Special Needs Resourcing Partnership. SPOT services participate in Raising the Bar on Quality. There are no fees for any SPOT assessment or consultation services.
Eligibility: child from 0 – 6 years of age/entry into Grade One, attending a licensed child care program in Waterloo Region.
Referrals: must be made by the child care program with the written consent of the parents/legal guardian.
To make a referral, complete a SPOT referral form, click here. Click here for the SPOT consent form. Fax these to the SPOT Coordinator at KidsAbility 519-886-7292 and call the child care Special Needs Access Point (SNAP) at 519-741-0076 or visit http://www.ccsnap.com/index.htm.
Both steps are required in order for the referral to be processed.
Professional Education
Another component of the SPOT program includes education. Information is provided to Early Childhood Educators through a variety of means including:
- Presentations
- Workshops
- Foundations for Communication Development
- Tuesday, April 26, 2011 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at KidsAbility, Waterloo
- Tuesday, May 31, 2011 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at KidsAbility, Cambridge
- Foundations for Fine Motor and Gross Motor Development
- Thursday, April 14, 2011 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at KidsAbility, Waterloo
- Tuesday, May 17, 2011 from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at KidsAbility, Cambridge
- Newsletter articles
- Resources
Registration fees may apply for workshops. Many SPOT workshops qualify as educational credits for the child care “Raising the Bar on Quality” initiative. SPOT workshops are posted on the KidsAbility website. Simply go to the KidsAbility Calendar.
The Winter 2012 Issue of SPOT the NEWS is available. Click here