Integrated childcare for young children with a disability.

Introduction: In Flanders, various initiatives aim to provide inclusive childcare for children with specific care needs, for example inclusion coaches, global individual support for young children and specific funding for inclusive childcare. Between 2018 and 2020, multifunctional centers (MFC) from the Flemish Agency for Persons with Disabilities (VAPH) and childcare organizations from the agency Growing Up (Flemish Agency for families and children) collaborated to explore ways to enhance inclusive childcare for children with severe multiple disabilities. The goal is to ensure all children, including those with complex care needs, can grow, play, and learn with peers, receiving necessary and high-quality care. In 2022 69 children younger than 3 years old received specialized daycare in a multifunctional center and could benefit from a collaboration between MFC and childcare. Method: For children with more severe care needs, requiring disability-specific and medical support, collaboration is necessary. In a shared space, both day care and childcare services are provided. This approach ensures that highly specific needs can be addressed by qualified and paramedical staff while allowing children to engage in play and learning activities with their peers. This inclusive environment benefits not only children with specific care needs but also fosters understanding of an inclusive society for all children. This approach facilitates access to intensive support by lowering barriers and allows sharing expertise between paramedical staff and childcare workers. Results: Harmonizing regulations between Agency Growing Up and VAPH was the initial step. Childcare facilities must be recognized by Agency Growing Up, adhering to regulations pertaining to personnel, infrastructure, etc. Therefore, this integrated childcare must also adhere to these regulations. The differences lie in how the funding is organized. Funding for childcare will be obtained from Agency Growing Up for at least two-thirds of the children, while funding for up to one-third will be obtained through the VAPH, such as in the case of a multifunctional center. This approach makes it possible to recruit both general caregivers and more specialized personnel, such as nurses and paramedics. Two organizations from different agencies, each with their own set of regulations, collaborate seamlessly. Staff members from both organizations work together in the same location, providing care for the same children. Ganspoel, a MFC, has already taken initial steps. They searched for a childcare provider willing to establish a group childcare facility in collaboration with them. Together, they plan to offer 24 spaces, 8 of which will be specially reserved for children with (multiple) disabilities. Infrastructure is another challenge for Ganspoel. The building will be designed to allow for flexible grouping when necessary, with ample space for adapted materials for the children. The rooms are designed to facilitate monitoring of sleeping children. In addition, the building will also accommodate other projects. We aim to implement an integrated project, including additional partners and facilities in-house, such as a regional office of the child health clinic. The presentation will focus on challenges and solutions in achieving integrated childcare for young children with disabilities, exploring both policy and practice perspectives.