Childcare Supports (ESS & SPOT)

Enhanced Support Services is a partnership with Wellington County’s Children’s Early Years Division, Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo-Wellington and KidsAbility, to ensure that all children are included and can fully participate in licensed childcare settings.

KidsAbility provides Occupational Therapy (OT), Speech Language Pathology (SLP) and Physiotherapy (PT) consultative support to Early Learning Educators and children attending licensed childcares and home childcares in Wellington County.

Our areas of focus include:

• sensory processing,
• feeding concerns,
• self-care,
• communication,
• play,
• accessing the physical environment,
• gross and fine motor challenges, and
• equipment needs.

We work closely with educators, program staff, Mental Health Consultants, and Resource Consultants to share valuable information, strategies, ideas, and resources to support children in a childcare setting.

Parents and caregivers can learn more about Enhanced Support Services offered by Wellington County here: Children with Disabilities and Special Needs – CEYD – Wellington County

KidsAbility does not provide childcare services, our services provide support to licensed childcare providers.

Children aged 0-4 years or Junior Kindergarten-eligible age (whichever comes first) attending a licensed childcare program or licensed home childcare program in Wellington County.

Licensed afterschool programs can also access ESS support for school-aged children (4-12 years).

Referrals for Enhanced Support Services must be made by an Early Learning Educator or by a home childcare provider.

Educators and providers can find more information about making a referral here: https://www.wellington.ca/en/social-services/ceyd-enhanced-support-system.aspx If you are a parent/caregiver with concerns, please discuss with your licensed childcare educator/provider and they can support you to understand what services are available.

KidsAbility is a member of the Special Needs Resource Collaborative (SNRC) and works closely with KW Habilitation Services and their Resource Consultants, and the Region of Waterloo, to promote and facilitate inclusive early learning environments for all children.

The SNRC works in a tiered model of support. The goal of Tiered Services is to build capacity in educators, to promote inclusion and to support all children in licensed early learning programs. Each Tier involves different levels of support provided to the child, Early Learning educators and providers, and family.

The SPOT Program offers support in the following areas:

• Speech-Language Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Behavior Consultation
• Recreation Therapy services

For more information about the SNRC, to learn about our Tiered Model of Support, and to access resources, please visit: www.snrcwaterlooregion.ca

Children aged 0-4 years or Junior Kindergarten-eligible age (whichever comes first) attending a licensed childcare program or licensed home childcare program in Waterloo Region.

Licensed afterschool programs can also access SPOT support for school-aged children (4-12 years).

Referrals must come from licensed Early Learning and Childcare Programs and are made in collaboration with the Resource Consultant and SPOT clinician.

If you are a parent/caregiver with concerns, please discuss with your licensed childcare educator/provider and they can support you to understand what services are available.