KidsAbility works in partnership with the Region of Waterloo and Wellington County to provide support to Early Learning and Childcare Staff and children attending licensed childcare through the following programs:

  • Enhanced Support Services (ESS)- Guelph & Wellington County
  • SPOT Services – Waterloo Region

These programs build the capacity of Early Learning and Childcare Staff to support children with special needs to be included and participate in licensed early learning and home childcare programs.

Enhanced Support Services (ESS) – Guelph & Wellington County

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.

SPOT Program – Waterloo Region

The SPOT program offers consultative support by the following clinicians:

  • Instructor Therapists (providing Behaviour Support)
  • Speech and Language Pathologists
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Physiotherapist
  • Recreational Therapists

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.

Related Pages

  • Boy sitting on instructor therapists lap in front of a LED screen with school work on it

    Intake & Referrals

    Please contact our Intake team if you require any assistance. We are here to help.