When educators, resource consultants, and childcare support workers unite with a shared vision, the result is more than just a classroom — it becomes a vibrant, inclusive world where every child feels safe, seen, and inspired to learn through play.
FOR EDUCATORS
CLICK HERE to open a short video series (10-min) to learn more about the roles of Resource Consultants and Childcare Support Workers
What is a Resource Consultant?
Resource consultants are specialists in child development and inclusion.
Their primary role is to partner with educators to identify barriers to participation and develop strategies that support all children— especially those with additional or diverse needs, or developmental delays, including children with exceptionalities.
Resource consultants: observe classroom dynamics, facilitate team discussions, and offer guidance on best practices.
Resource Consultants help educators identify how to adapt environments and better support inclusion. These innovations help to integrate children with additional needs into Early Learning settings by offering appropriate strategies and tools to meet each child's unique needs and strengths, to increase a child’s participation in early learning environments.
Resource consultants provide developmental screening, assisting in identification of developmental concerns, and providing recommendations for appropriate interventions or referrals.
Resource consultants provide training and coaching for educators, professional development, on topics like behavior management, inclusive practices, and child development. Educators are then armed with knowledge and skills they can implement in their early learning environment and share with their client families.
Resource consultants collaborate and partner with client families to identify children’s areas of strength and emerging skills requiring intervention and connect them with local services and support.
Resource consultants also collaborate with other Lansdowne service providers and other professionals to create cohesive support plans for children.
The Role of Childcare Support Workers
Childcare Support Workers, or enhanced staff as they are sometimes called, are additional educators to help support programs/classrooms to implement recommendations and strategies developed in collaboration with the Resource Consultant.
Childcare support workers work directly with educators to support inclusive practices—whether that means adapting activities, assisting with transitions, or helping children engage meaningfully with their peers and environment.
A childcare support worker is considered for a classroom or program when Resource Consultant recommendations, strategies, resources and accommodations have been used in the environment, and needs for support continue.
Examples include:
· safety concerns
· risk of harm to self or others
· Elopement
· ongoing health concerns requiring significant attention of an educator
· or physical needs that require educators to physically place a child to explore the classroom
