Question about special needs

Good morning everyone.
I always come here to seek advise from all of you who has been a constant support to me who is just new to this business.

I live in Ottawa and I just want to ask if do I need to get a special license or permit or any required credentials if I take care of a child who is legally blind?

Does anyone have any experiences to share? Like what program and activities you do. The internet is there for research but it is different when it is coming from someone who already experienced it and know what's work the best.
I have started looking at modifying our play area for safety reasons, buying toys (sensory, tactile, auditory).
Again, my sincere thanks and thanking you all in advance.

I worked with a toddler who was blind in a daycare centre.

We used the flooring to tell him where he was in the room. So a different textured carpet for different areas. HE was kept barefoot to be able to feel the flooring.

Always talk as you approach and leave his area. It is scary for a person to just suddenly be beside you or gone. Always verbalize "i am going now" "i am coming".

We used a tactile schedule. We had old coffee containers (the large canisters) within each one we had an object to signify the next activity (spoon for a meal, hat for outside, book for storytime etc). We would bring him to the table with the canisters have have him reach in the containers to feel what is taking place. He would feel what we are finishing, what is next, what will happen later in the day. It gave more feedback than just telling the young child.

Be prepared for certain behaviors. Blind children can often head bang. It is a stimulus for them...it helps block out the over sensitive sounds etc. The little guy we had ended up needing a helmet.

How old is the child? Does he have outside supports? Usually a child with blindness requires various supports to help the child and the family. This would depend on the age of the child, whether the blindness is new and how well everyone has adapted to it.

My main note would be, before taking on a child that is blind is to realize that a child who is blind may not just be lacking vision. They may need more than just compensation for not seeing. Make sure you are ready to support the child in every way needed.

Personally having worked with the little guy in a centre I wouldn't take on a blind child in my home. I would not be able to meet their needs fully while still fully caring for the other children. I would worry that the child may end up getting lost within the program.

That said, it can totally be done and the children who are blind can be a delight to work with and can become a core part of the group...but it isn't a decision to be made lightly.

I don't have specific advice for working with a child how is blind, but I have worked with several children with special needs. I wouldn't think you will need a special permit, you already have a daycare set up, that should be sufficient. What you will need to change and adapt to- will greatly depend on the age and particular needs of this child. Is there support at home from an agency, like Andrew Fleck or the Children's Treatment Centre? (since you are in Ottawa) If so, the parents should have contacts with these agencies that may be able to consult with you. I worked at a couple of daycare centres in Ottawa as a "program assistant" and the money to pay for my position came from Andrew Fleck, not the daycare. They would also send a support agent to the daycare to observe and consult with me and the other staff regarding the child. I don't know, but they might have some supports like that for home daycare too. If its a child they are already following. You would have to ask.

That sounds like a fairly tall order to me. I would be overly concerned about the child's safety/injuries etc. Are you with a licenced agency or private? I would be seeking outside supports to come in if possible. I guess it depends on the ages/needs of the rest of the group. Most of mine are toddlers, and that's enough work just to focus on them right now! Only you know what you can handle and how the rest of the group will respond.

Hello everyone! Thank you again for all your comments, advise and input. I really appreciate it.

Just to answer all your questions, DCB is two years old, support is there. We were told during the interview that they will come in twice a month to assess and guide us to improve in areas where we are lacking of. We are a private daycare. I am using "WE" sometimes because I have a full-time staff and a helper. I am still working outside home. My role is to manage and supervise the daycare on a PT basis. I have a child (5 y old FT in school) with special needs as well and we decided to take on the DCB to expand our knowledge in other cases. The FT staff I have is a nursing graduate and we both find this role to be challenging at the same time rewarding. We have four kids ranging from 19 months to 26 months and lucky for us so far because they are all good kids.
Thanks again.