Realities of child care for children with special needs

I think I have found an answer to our child care concern should we lose nursing in March and yes it does include daycare.
At first I really had no idea how day care would be an option for reasons listed in a previous post on the topic; however, I realized that socialization may actually help Serena and Edwin, and while they are being cared for in-home there is a "limit" to their view of the world during the week, and this makes me concerned. They have each other which is a huge bonus, but I think they really need the socialization, although I am very afraid of the germs.

But I look at it like this. They will be beginning preschool in September. If they aren't exposed to things now, just imagine how terrible their first year of school will be. I think it is time to attempt daycare (once we officially lose nursing hours, which is a whole other issue because they still need O2 when sick while sleeping and this will not be an option in daycare so....)

But, should they come off O2, we would be able to apply for a sliding scale to pay for daycare for them both. Then, when they turn 2 years 9 months (June) they can go to the child care center located at one of the sites I work at (I work for an agency, but onsite at two youth centers.) I know the employees well, would be in the building daily, and they are opened until 6pm, the time I leave work anyway!
The other bonus is once they start special ed preschool in September, the school system will provide transportation to school and then to the daycare center. Since they will only be in school 2 1/2 hours a day, they will then be bused to the day care center, where I will be, and they can stay there until 6.

Edwin certainly has many needs, and I thought for sure he would not be able to attend daycare. However, thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Edwin can't be denied child care because of his special needs. In fact, the day care center is obligated by law to make reasonable accomidations for him and to apply for financial assistance if need be to get him the support he needs. (Which would hopefully mean another employee or aide to work more one-on-one with him.)
There is an elevator they could use with him so he didn't have to be carried down the stairs. He doesn't have to be potty trained, and in fact staff work with the child as an individual so if potty training is something they need, they will help with that, as well as with speech, using a crayon, putting on socks/shoes, etc.
There are other children who are in special ed in this program, although none have nearly as many delays and needs as Edwin...in fact none have a physical limitation, but I think he would do ok, and I'm not too worried about Serena, in fact I think it would be really good for her developmentally.
EI could do therapy right there, and I could take my lunch break so I could attend, since I'd be right down the hall.
Should there be an issue with them being sick, upset, etc. I would be readily available.
All in all I am trying to see what Edwin and Serena CAN do and realize that although they may have special needs, this does not mean they can't have access to things that typically developing children have. I am entitled to work, and not live in poverty because my children have needs. Of course I expect excellent care for them, and they are entitled and protected by law to have just that. I am worried about the health aspect, but am hoping that by the spring/summer we will be safer. And again, they will be going to school in Sept anyway, and we can't keep them isolated forever.

I am excited at the idea of them getting into daycare, which has an educational component, filled with routine, and NO TV time(although I push for no tv with the nurses, it's on quite a bit when I come home, or when Edwin stops by home in between training). They will start doing crafts with their peers, singing songs, and learning in a fun, bright, enviornment.

There are some things I worry about with respect to the 2.9 program. They are still eating in a high chair, but could eat at a little table, especially Serena...Edwin might need a chair with a little support, but July is still 6 months away so we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.
I'll have plenty of opportunities to show the program staff how to put on his AFOs, help him in his walker, and they will be present during their therapies.
I feel really relieved about this option and am doing the paperwork for the sliding scale program first thing Monday because there is a waiting list!! I have nursing hours until March, so I am set until then at least.

As for actual preschool within the school system, I talked to our city's director of Special Ed today. He was sooo nice and answered all of my questions. In a couple of months he will get the referral from EI and come out to our home to meet our family and talk about S&E. Then at 2 years 11 months (August) they will have an evaluation to "test" them. We will then have a meeting and create an IEP. This will determine what type of learning enviornment they will be in and what their needs will be in school. They will be in the daycare program where I work and this will determine where they will go to school, (district), because they will have them close for transportation purposes, which is good because I work in this area and I'll be close to them during school hours.
It seems like time is flying by and it's unbelievable that they will be in a preschool program in June and real school in Sept!!!!

I am proud of the progress they are making and so excited to see where these new steps to socialization will take them!