Well Olivia Is In Daycare! What Does That Mean?

This past year with us moving to Charlotte, NC, Olivia has taken a break from being in a daycare setting. We had to do this because we didn't have the money (let's be honest-daycares can be expensive), I was pregnant, and I was trying to find another job! Now it has been a year and we are a little bit more established (still some work to do) and now Olivia can go to daycare!

I was really appreciative of our church for taking Olivia in for their daycare program! They have been incredible during this process! When I called up other daycares, they would tell me that they didn't know if they could meet her needs without meeting her! Apparently this is a normal challenge with families with disabilities. It really struck a nerve!

1. So what was Olivia doing during the day when she was not in daycare?

She was with me at home getting home-schooled and going to therapy (I guess my Masters in Elementary Education really came into play)! This gave me the opportunity to be apart of her therapy sessions as well as teach her myself (an opportunity that I missed while I taught full time in the classroom).

2. Was Olivia in a daycare before?

Yes, she was a part of a wonderful daycare called La Petite Academy in Baltimore, Md (which I highly recommend), when she was 8-weeks old. The staff there was like family and we still love them to pieces. They really walked alongside us when Olivia had difficulty with her feeding and development. They were willing to learn how to care for Olivia and they truly loved her! We miss them greatly! They taught me a lot about the different structures that should be implemented while I'm homeschooling Olivia.

3. Why did we put Olivia in daycare?

Because Olivia needs to have the school structure and social interactions with peers her own age. Olivia plays well with her brothers and adults, but she hasn't really been around kids her own age. This would help her socially and emotionally to adapt to a school setting. She is also at a daycare, where her father works in the same building (ADDED BONUS). I can not deprive her of what she should have.

4. Was there prep work for Olivia attending daycare?

Yes, there was! More than a typical kid. Olivia's therapist and I had discussions and we felt that we should provide the school with visual flash cards of different things as well as sign language. Since Olivia is working on her verbal skills (which she communicates a lot through sign language), I had to put together a booklet for her teachers that would give Olivia's history and how she learns as well as different resources. I will post the book at a later blog. It helps to stay in close communication with the teachers that are taking care of your child.

5. What would you recommend parents with a child with a disability do to get the teachers prepared for their child?

I would definitely recommend that you meet with the teacher in advance, so you can talk with them as well as have them interact with your child. This can be an opportunity for you to go over and answer any questions the teachers may have. I would also have a booklet/binder sharing the details of your child. For example you may include, if there will be a therapist that attends daycare or how meals should be served with your child or how to redirect your child. Remember you are your child's advocate (disability or not).

6. How many days does she go?

She attends 1/2 days on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All the other days, she will be attending her therapy sessions in the morning and afternoon. So I still get my Olivia time!

7. How does Olivia going to daycare affect me?

I was freaking out! I wanted to know if the teachers would be able to meet her needs (which isn't a lot because Olivia picks up on things pretty quickly)! I was really sad that Olivia was going to daycare, but I was also was happy because she would be getting the social interaction that she needs.

This also allows for me to have more office hours to build my business. I do stay at home with my youngest son, Liam, who is 6 months old. He pretty much just plays with his toys on the play mat or in little saucer thing. That may change soon when he becomes more mobile, but I will take what I can get.

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Olivia will be 3 years old next year (YAY and YIKES!) and that means she will be transitioning to preschool full-time, this is all in preparation for her future. I pray she has a wonderful school year, I pray the teachers are patient with her and are willing to work together with me to make sure Olivia gets what she needs, I pray she has fun, I pray she meets new friends, and I pray she learns!

Remember there are great daycare's out there, you just have to work together to make sure your child/children gets what they need!

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*If you know of any parent that is raising a child with a disability, please share this blog with them. You never know how it could encourage them.*

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