Finding the right childcare for baby with additional needs

[AshGirl]

Interested in other's experiences of finding and placing DC with SN/disabilities in childcare.

DS is 10 months and has a genetic condition which has caused health and other issues.

So far as we know (all fingers and toes crossed) the health issues are well under control. He still has problems with feeding, is under SALT and has a special chair from OT for having solids. Weaning is very slow going as he can't have finger foods etc.

We think he is likely to get a diagnosis of global developmental delay. He has only started rolling quite recently, can't sit up etc.

We have found a nursery, but I'm feeling a bit nervous that, while he is fine now, they won't be able to meet his needs as he falls further behind his cohort.

I am open to trying to find a nanny, especially one who might have an interest in SN, but it would be ££££££

Would love to hear other's experiences of finding childcare, mainstream or otherwise.

TIA

Have you talked to your local families information and inclusion teams to see if they have lists of settings with experience for you LO.
I am a child-minder and always have at least one child on my books with a sever need I have specific training for what the child needs and am set up to be able to offer the right level of support as I call on assistants as needed so I can offer one to one for individual requirement like feeding physio etc.

Thanks @jannier that's really interesting.

There is no suggestion yet that DS could/should not be in mainstream nursery. However, as he gets older, other issues are likely to become apparent eg he is at increased risk for ASD, ADHD and learning difficulties.

I suppose my worry is about whether we should place him somewhere which could cater for the needs he might have in the future, or try to keep him in mainstream as long as possible.

My youngest has global delay (developmental age of 5months at 1.5) he's in mainstream nursery he's in the baby room and will be for awhile yet but there's been zero issues and they're more then happy for hcps to see him there and do whatever they can

We viewd 5 before falling in love with the one their at

Thanks @confusedlittleone. That's lovely to hear that your LO has been getting on well in mainstream.

We have an extra issue in that we live right next to the border of another county and the nursery is in the next county. I'm trying to find out if this means that HCPs won't visit as it is out of their area. I have had conflicting advice but hopefully it will be OK.

Our nursery's in area taken care off by different hcps to our house and they still visit him- but I'm not sure if it makes a difference that it's the same county just a different team looking after that area

My aim with all the children is to prepare them for mainstream school some start at school nursery some decide not to. Unless a child has a very sever delay or needs they all tend to start mainstream some stay in this system some move later.
Being in a private nursery has no impact on mainstream schooling.
Children are placed with me to get an intensive focused support and not get lost amongst the larger numbers of private nursery and because research shows young children regardless of needs do better in small groups and with a mixed developmental ability (ie not a baby room/toddler room but where they have role models and can also be a role model).