The Role of ECE Programs in EI Services

Before EI Starts:

Talk to the parents/guardians about …

• The child’s developmental milestones.
• Observations of the child, highlighting both areas of strength and areas that need additional support.

Encourage the child’s family to talk to their pediatrician about any developmental concerns or reach out to Early Intervention for a no-cost developmental screening.

Have local EI resources available to all families in your program.

After EI Starts:

Share information about …

• The child’s interests and preferences (toys, friends, games, songs, etc).
• The child’s dislikes or non-preferred activities.
• Your classroom schedule, transitions, and routines.

Partner with the EI providers:

• Welcome EI into your classroom with the assumption that they want to make your day easier—not harder!
• You likely aren’t able to spend the full session engaging with the EI provider and child. Try to take a few minutes to check in with the EI provider at the beginning and end of the session.
• Intentionally observe the EI provider’s interactions with the child.
• Be open to new suggestions and give yourself time to try new strategies. You may need to try a new strategy for a few weeks before you notice a difference.

Advocate for yourself and your classroom:

• Ask the EI providers to write a few bullet points of practice strategies on a sticky note, or text you a quick summary of strategies.
• If you find a strategy is too difficult to implement given your program’s policies and procedures, ask the EI provider to brainstorm ways to incorporate the strategy into routines and activities that you’re already doing.
• Provide honest feedback to the EI provider as well as the parent.