Exemplary Practices 2008

Leaving No One Out

"Inclusion is my passion," says Brenda Rempel of Campbell River Christian Life Daycare, Campbell River, BC. This passion came out of the experience when her daughter, Jolene, was born in 1981 with an incurable brain condition. She died at age four and a half.

"I was taught patience by my daughter, taught problem-solving and to accept differences," she says. "My daughter had the brain of a newborn so the traditional way to communicate wasn't there but still, there was a strong connection."

To illustrate, two children in her daycare use sign language. Says Rempel: "I thought about what good it was that only two could sign but not the others, so with the help of a speech and language pathologist and staff, we taught all the children to sign." All children know up to 20 signs so now everyone communicates.

The daycare is also piloting the Seeds of Empathy program where a young baby is brought into the classroom by its mother every three weeks.

The children have the opportunity to observe the baby for 30 minutes each time. "They learn about attachments, understand milestones, temperament and ask questions," says Rempel. "The program teaches them about development." For example, children ask if the baby is walking yet and if it isn't, it's okay to learn that it hasn't happened yet and that some things take time and don't happen right away.

"Inclusion isn't just about children with disabilities," says Rempel. "But it involves looking at learning styles. We team with parents and build a strategy together." For autistic children in the daycare, there are intervention programs. They work with speech and language pathologists as well as other community professionals who come into the centre. Team meetings are planned with the families of autistic children to set goals.

Within the daycare are nine different environments. "Each environment is tailored to the needs of the classroom," Rempel says. "We are meeting their needs so children can be successful." In other words, ensuring that no child is excluded and that all have the opportunity to succeed.