Photo by Elizabeth Wilson/The Arc of Prince George's County. Anniyah Dixon and the childcare nurse and Anniyah’s dad. She is in our toddler group at the childcare center.

Published on: Wednesday, April 07, 2010

By Nancy Royden

Marc Dixon’s 3-year-old daughter’s life has been positively affected by a childcare program in Bowie that is now also being offered in College Park.

“Socially, Anniyah has improved so much. I attribute it to her time at the YMCA-Arc Center. If I had a trillion dollars, I would clone these nurses and this center and put them everywhere so everyone could have this experience,” he said.

A 200,000 grant from the Maryland State Department of Education has make it possible for The Arc of Prince George’s County to create the second inclusive childcare partnership in the county in College Park.

The new partnership with Easter Seals will expand the Easter Seals National Archives Child Development Center on Adelphi Road in College Park. The center can accommodate up to 10 children with developmental disabilities and chronic medical conditions, said Mary Funk, deputy executive director of The Arc of Prince George’s County, based in Largo.

The Bowie facility has offered inclusive childcare for children with and without disabilities since the winter of 2008, Funk said.

The program allows children to learn how to get along with people who might be different than they are, but in most cases, it is not an issue in the first place.

“The kids don’t see disabilities. I think it’s so neat. They have no prejudices at this age and no fear,” Funk said.

Elizabeth Wilson, spokesperson for The Arc of Prince George’s County, said the childcare partnerships provide age-appropriate peer involvement for all children and are equipped for special health care needs that some children have.

Children enrolled in the Prince George’s County Infant & Toddlers Program can receive therapies at the new center, and it is within the Francis Fuchs Early Childhood Center (Beltsville) transportation boundaries, Wilson said.

The program stresses activities that are personalized and adapted to meet each child’s specific strengths and needs. The Creative Classroom Curriculum is child-centered and holistic, according to a brochure.

Children in the program are exposed to literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts, technology and healthy habits. The program includes students ages 6 weeks to 5 years.

At the program sites, pediatric nurses are present and there is a small caregiver-child ratio. “The children in the childcare center do not see disabilities or what another child cannot do; they only see friends. The typical children are quick to engage and encourage the children with disabilities; they push them to reach their limits without really knowing they are doing so. Parents of the children with disabilities consistently are amazed by the progress their children make in the childcare center,” Funk said.

Liz Nason, associate director of the YMCA Prince George’s County Program Center on Moylan Drive in Bowie, said many of the referrals to the childcare program are by word-of-mouth.

“We hear teachers are taking the right approach,” she said. “It is inclusive, so it gives all the children chances to experience diversity.”Nason said it is the goal for students to be well prepared for entering kindergarten.

Ania Picard, parent of a child who has benefitted from the Bowie facility, said she is grateful for the program.

“Kudos to The Arc and the YMCA for creating this excellent program where children with special needs can learn in an inclusive environment under the supervision of caring teachers and nurses,” she said.

For information about the childcare partnerships in College Park and Bowie or for an application, contact Funk at 301-925-7050, ext. 232 or mfunk@thearcofpgc.org.