Early Learning Center

The goal of Team S.M.I.L.E. is to raise $100,000 to help fund the planning and future development of UCP-OC's inclusive Early Learning Center to be built in Orange County.

Vision:

In order to address the shortage of child care available in Orange County for children with special needs, UCP-OC is planning to build a new inclusive Childcare Center within the next 2-3 years that would serve children with and without disabilities.

Community Need:

Orange County has a shortage of licensed child care providers. In fact, Orange County has only 1 licensed child care space for every 6 children of working parents. For parents whose children have a disability, finding child care is even harder. A survey conducted in 2005 concluded:

"Child care services for young children with special needs in Orange County are inadequate. Relatively few children are enrolled in the formal care settings most likely to encourage optimal development, although parents express a desire for such child care."

Additionally:

Even though most child care providers are aware that they are legally required to accept children with disabilities, they often are reluctant to do so because of their fears or prejudices, or simply because they do not know how. Less than 10% of Orange County child care providers indicate that they have had experience providing health care for children with special needs and are willing to meet with parents with disabilities.

Objectives:

In an effort to provide "life without limits" for young children with disabilities, to reduce stress upon working parents, and to demonstrate the efficacy of an inclusive early care and education facility within Orange County, UCP-OC is committed to the creation of a model, inclusive child care center where every child feels accepted.

A center for all children with and without disabilities, providing equal access to high quality, licensed early care and education and allowing all to experience optimal development. A "one-stop shop" that provides comprehensive educational and on-site therapy services (physical, occupational, and speech therapy) for children having special needs as well as wrap-around support for their families. A model center of best, inclusive practices as a demonstration site for other educational and childcare professionals within Orange County and beyond. By combining our existing Inclusive Childcare services with a new center-based program and therapy center, we can more effectively meet the current needs in our community.

Inclusion means learning together, playing together, and growing together.