Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Jun 21/00) - The Kataujaq Day Care in Rankin is once again accepting special-needs children.

Special-needs teacher Brenda Geake assumed her position at the day care on June 5. So far, one of four spaces available for special-needs children has been filled.

The day care had been without a special-needs program since September 1999.

Geake says to be accepted to the day care, children have to be assessed by either an occupational therapist or a health-care professional.

Once accepted, Geake says a program focusing on the needs of each individual child is established.

"The health centre or occupational therapist would have observed the child and noted goals for them to work on," says Geake.

"I would also work quite closely with the child's parents to identify these goals because parents know their children best.

"Once the goals are identified -- motor skills, language skills, general cognitive skills -- I work with the kids to help further their development."

Children spend part of their day-care day in a special-needs room where they focus on specific goals.

They rest of the day is spent integrating with other day-care kids. They're also given some free play time in the special-needs room.

"Early prevention in a day-care program like this can work towards helping develop their skills before entering school, where they'll also have a special-needs instructor.

"Without this, they could fall even further behind."

Geake has the highest education available in Manitoba for an early childhood educator (Level 3) and attended community college for two years. She also has nine years practical experience at the St. James YM-YWCA in Winnipeg, Man.

Geake says kids really benefit from the one-on-one interaction her program offers and parents are informed of their progress.

"I send a communication book home each day with the child showing what goals we worked on. Parents can return comments to me via the book.

The book provides a form of ongoing communication for us.

"I will also be working to promote special- needs awareness in the community by conducting workshops focusing on various special-needs issues."