​In Toronto, childcare centers or parents can request individual resource consulting services through the "Every Child Belongs" website. Once a request is submitted, the agency assigns a Resource Consultant who connects with the family to explain the services and obtain the necessary signed consent forms. Then the Resource Consultant will visit the childcare centre to make observations of the child and speak to the childcare staff to collect information. The Resource Consultant will later set up a meeting with members of the interdisciplinary team, such as parents/caregivers, educators, centre supervisors and other professionals if applicable to develop an Individual Support Plan for the child based on the information collected.

 

Throughout my placement, I am grateful to have participated in several individual consultation processes. Visiting different childcare centers provided valuable opportunities to observe how my mentor communicates professionally with educators, seamlessly integrates her recommendations into conversations, and builds relationships with different people. This experience has taught me the importance of active listening and effective communication when collaborating within a team.

 

One case I was involved in was an initial visit to a new center, which was a new experience not only for me but also for my mentor. It was only her second time visiting the center when I accompanied her. Upon arrival, she warmly greeted the educators, took the time to learn their names, and began observing the child. She patiently waited for the transition period to conclude and for the lead educator to be less occupied before initiating a conversation. She demonstrated active listening while asking thoughtful questions about the child and noticed areas where the program could be improved to ease the educators' workload. Instead of overwhelming the educator with numerous recommendations, she reassured her that she understood her frustrations and was there to help. I observed that the RECE seemed slightly hesitant to embrace all the information and resources shared during the initial meeting. My mentor later explained that her priority was to build a trusting relationship first by actively listening and making herself available via email for follow-up questions. I admire how my mentor consistently concludes meetings by summarizing key strategies, ensuring the recommendations are manageable to avoid overwhelming the staff, and providing positive feedback to close the consultation on an encouraging note.

 

During our next visit, we observed that the program had already begun implementing some of the strategies my mentor had recommended. These included using transition songs and incorporating movement breaks during circle time to support smoother transitions and reduce challenging behaviors in the child and others. I noticed more active engagement from the RECE during the second consultation, as she showed enthusiasm to learn additional strategies from Cristina. My mentor also emphasized the importance of approaching childcare staff as partners rather than instructors, highlighting that everyone is an equal and essential member of the team. She explained that this mindset fosters strong relationships with all parties, ensuring collaboration and commitment to implementing strategies that support the child effectively later.