Sharing of the Childcare Years

A. Reasons for Childcare

Work
Maid
Parents
Social skills
Developmental age

B. Choice & Selection

Proximity - Daddy (car)

C. Childcare Centre 1

Principal Profile :

Autism collaboration with lecturer in NUS. Psychologist
Centre for special needs education

Teacher Profile

Trained in early childhood education
China

School Environment

Open space
Not enclosed

Peers

Educated Family Background

D. Childcare Centre 2

Principal Profile :

willing to try
tolerant
assuring
patient
acceptance

Teacher Profile

two trained in early childhood
one trained in special education in India
rest with qualities of baby sitter, aunty/motherly-like

School Environment

enclosed
little distraction

Peers

neighbourhood kids
open to sharing and collaboration
big sister or big brother help available

E. Joshua 3+ , Nursery 2, in Childcare Centre 1

Profile

Trials

Benefits

Introvert

Verbal (not equal chronological age)

Gesture

Partial Toliet Trained

Good Behaviour

Food

Social Skills

Eager and Determined

Adaptability

Autism not diagnosed till registration

Inital form teacher China

Communication

Buy friendship

P - Suspected for three years with pervasive developmental disorder(PDD) (never told parent till registration. No program offered.)

Peer pressure accelerated development

3 non form teachers have positive influence on him

Food

Tolieting

Language

F. Jonathan 2+, Nursery , in Childcare Centre 2

Profile

Trials

Benefits

Familiarity and security(environment and parent)

Cries, screams, tantrum.

Does his own thing

Already diagnosed as autistic

Therapy

Toliet

Language

Food

Form teacher delegate responsibilities to students

Asthma

Left unsupervised

Eat

Excursion

Wait

Toilet

Supervisor and one trained teacher initiated request for his IEP.

Empathy from kitchen aunty and some teachers/parents

Children acceptance and tolerance

Principal tolerance

Some improvements to join in very simple activities

G. Joel 2, Nursery, in Childcare Centre 2

Profile

Trials

Benefits

Explores (unstructured, open space)

Food

Good Behaviour

Language

Instructions

Toilet

Not diagnosed as autistic

Queing for CC1

Toilet

Excursion

Social

Well loved by teachers

Explore Snacks

Peer support and understanding

H. Joel 2+, Nursery, in Childcare Centre 1

Profile

Trials

Benefits

Explores (unstructured, open space)

Food

Good Behaviour

Language

Instructions

Toilet

Diagnosed as autistic

Therapy

All over the place

Minimal supervision

Misunderstood

Peers equally self centered

No professional help

Seek affection from willing available parents

Some teachers did extend help and empathy to help him whenever they were free and available.

One teacher was able to mediate and help him to adjust until she left.

I. Our Hopes

acceptance and education
interpreter and mediator
give child time and chance to adapt
simplified curriculum, social and self help skills
IEP(Parent and Teacher collaboration)
benefit of doubt
understanding biological challenges
don't take it personally
looking into training and environment(structured, enclosed, etc)
initiate collaboration with therapist IEP
honest and truthful feedback and insight
advise to be practical and not be overwhelmed

Do what you can, Give what you can, Whenever you can