Learning

Toys: more than child's play - Insight magazine

Summary: Janice Bain explains how the loan of toys and mobility equipment from a specialist resource base in Scotland can make all the difference to families with disabled children. Article from issue 15 of Insight magazine.

• Why offer support to childcare settings?
• Eilidh’s story
• How the Toy Library operates
• Matching the equipment to the child’s needs
• Measuring our success

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The Toy Library and Resource Base in Fife provides a unique service to families with children who have additional support needs. Our aim is to encourage enjoyment, assist development and promote inclusion through the provision of toys and equipment to childcare settings.

Why offer support to childcare settings?

Once a childcare setting has the right toys and equipment for a disabled child, it means that parents who send a child to a playgroup, out of school club or childminder can be secure in the knowledge that their child’s play and developmental needs will be met. In some cases it can make the difference between a child being able to access a setting or not. Being able to send a child to properly equipped childcare can give parents the ability to pursue study, training or work.

Eilidh’s story

Eilidh has cerebral palsy and she was three years old when referred. Eilidh’s mother tells us:

“From an early age Eilidh attended a childminder in our village while I worked three days per week. This was important to us, as not only did it give me the local childcare I needed but ensured Eilidh remained within the community and was able to establish relationships within it.

Our initial contact with the Toy Library was the loan of some additional toys to the childminder that were easier for Eilidh to access. This had a significant impact on the level of fun she had while she was there and aided her playing with other children.

As Eilidh grew, her need for specialist equipment increased. All of these pieces of equipment were too large to be transported to and from the childminder. The Toy Library supplied this equipment to the (a potty chair, a corner seat and a specialist car seat). Without this Eilidh would not have been able to attend this childcare and I therefore would not have been able to continue to work.”

How the Toy Library operates

Referrals to the Toy Library come from a range of sources, including education and health professionals, childcare workers, parents and carers. An assessment visit is carried out to collect information about the child’s abilities and interests, likes and dislikes.

The Toy Library is a partnership between RNIB Visual Impairment and Learning Disability Services (VILD) and Fife Childcare Strategy. One of the core tasks of VILD is to increase knowledge and understanding of the link between learning disabilities and visual impairment. So every assessment includes some time observing any behaviour which might indicate a sight problem. In such cases we would follow this up with staff and parents, ensuring appropriate vision tests were carried out and providing information and advice.

Matching the equipment to the child’s needs

We discuss with the childcare worker what they feel are the current needs of the child in that setting. These may be physical (such as improving manual dexterity) or social (such as increasing understanding of emotions and relationships). In certain cases, for example where mobility is the issue, we would work with the occupational therapist or paediatric physiotherapist to decide on the best equipment for the individual child in that particular environment.

Based on all the information collected and our observations, we put together a package of toys and equipment for the child. The materials are loaned out to the childcare setting for as long it is appropriate to the child’s needs and being enjoyed. We see children from birth to 18, so our relationship with a child can be ongoing, moving from playgroup to nursery to out of school club.

Measuring our success

The Toy Library currently has 71 childcare settings as members. Some of these are group members, such as Queen Anne High School Out of School Club, which includes ten children who have a range of needs and requirements.

In 2006–2007 we received 46 new referrals and the equipment we currently have out on loan includes 188 sensory items, 122 items to develop gross motor skills and 43 pieces of audio-visual equipment. Because we provide toys specifically to suit each child, and because the objects are borrowed for as long as required, we have to continually replenish our stock to meet demand. Trying out the new purchases is for me, a perk of the job, and often attracts the amused attention of colleagues who mock, but who I know are secretly just jealous!

Eilidh’s story encapsulates the success of the Toy Library. Eilidh is enjoying her time with other children at the childminder’s and developing independent living skills. The childminder can provide a place for Eilidh that she would not otherwise have been able to, and Eilidh’s mum can continue to work and feel secure about her childcare arrangements.

Janice Bain

Fife Sensory Impairment Centre, Kirkcaldy, Fife

This article is from Insight Magazine issue 15, May/June 2008.

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Content author: insightmagazine@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 22/07/2008 10:47