Every Child Belongs Resource Consultation Program (ECB)
Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Every Child Belongs Resource Consultation Program is dedicated to advocating for and creating an inclusive, high quality early learning and care system that is rich in learning opportunities for all children. Inclusive early learning and care means that:
- Each family has the opportunity to access an early learning program of their choice.
- All children and families are welcomed into the centre and are treated in a thoughtful and respectful way.
Our team of Resource Consultants partner with licensed early learning and care programs and families to develop strategies and share resources that reflect the unique needs of the child, family, and centre. Through collaborative planning, coaching, and reciprocal sharing, individual goals and stratgies are created that provide opportunities for children to reach their full potential.
Individual Consultation is the support for the inclusion of an individual child with extra support needs and their family in an early learning and care program. The ECB consultant collaborates with the family and the early learning and care program staff to develop and carry out individual program plans/goals, adaptations and teaching strategies for a child with extra support needs. The process of delivering individual consultation service includes the following:
- Information gathering
- Classroom observations
- Team meetings and service planning
- Resources and referrals
- Information sharing, modelling and coaching
- Service evaluation
Program Consultations support Early Learning and Care programs to build their capacity in creating inclusive environments. These consultations are related to the room or program as a whole and are not specific to an individual child. However, children and families are the underlying reason for the role of the ECB consultant. Examples of a program consultation may include:
- Environmental assessments (such as SpeciaLink, ECERS)
- Program adaptations (such as; room arrangements, transition times, routines, social skills programs and group time)
- Sharing resources (such as; tools, community connections and information sharing)
Program consultation includes:
- Information gathering
- Information sharing, modelling and coaching
- Classroom observations
- Team meetings
- Resources and referrals
- Service evaluation
Training Consultation involves the delivery of training and development of training plans specific for early learning and care professionals and families. The training can be formal, such as a workshop that requires pre-registration, or informal, such as a “lunch and learn”. The training may be a single training event or multiple sessions related to a single topic. At times, the ECB consultant is the presenter and other times facilitates the training by arranging the presenter. The ECB consultant has current knowledge of where training can be found on topics related to developmental needs, both online and in registered training sessions. The process of Training Consultation includes the following:
- Information gathering
- Classroom observations
- Team meetings and service planning
- Information sharing, modelling and coaching
- Resources and referrals
- Service evaluation
Submit a Request Online
To submit a request, login to your online services account (external link, opens in new window) and select the Every Child Belongs – Service Request tab. If you need help contact your ECB Resource Consultation Staff.
Contact Your ECB Resource Consultation Staff
The name and phone number of the ECB Resource Consultation Staff for your child care centre is listed at the bottom of your centre’s registry page which can be found on our A to Z child care centre listing (external link) .
The City of Toronto and community agencies provide a range of learning opportunities (external link) for early childhood professionals to support the inclusion of all children.