CDP Introduces new guide for child care providers

“Early Intervention is the best prevention,” said Ms Sherri-Lee Bucci, Coordinator for The Child Development Programme (CDP) during the launch held yesterday for the new Red Flags Guidebook for childcare providers.  

Ms Bucci cited a 2013 Report by United Kingdom Department of Education and Wave Trust that stated: “High quality assessment, early years’ intervention and support are vital to giving children the best start in life and to tackling the underlying causes of ill health and poor wellbeing throughout people’s lives. The most effective interventions are often those that are preventive instead of reactive – preventive interventions address risk factors likely to result in future problems for particular families, without waiting for those problems to emerge.”

Junior Minister of Education and Economic Development, Leah Scott, JP, MP commended The Child Development Programme for their two-year commitment to get the guidebook approved and published.  Ms Scott said, “The Child Development Programme is one that has always been near and dear to my heart, as I had the benefit of their services when my son was very young.  Bermuda can take great pride in the work that has already been established by this Programme and the new guidelines will undoubtedly be an excellent resource and assist with the successful development of our children.”

The Red Flags Guide is intended to assist in the determination of when and where child care professionals and families should refer for additional advice, formal assessment and treatment. It should be used in conjunction with other validated screening tools commonly used to monitor healthy child development. Red Flags was first piloted in 2002, by the Simcoe County Early Intervention Council in Canada.  Permission for the Bermuda Child Development Programme was granted by the York Region Red Flags in 2010.  Following review and revisions, the Red Flag Guide has been modified to suit Bermuda’s needs. 

The Child Development Programme (CDP) has published a guide to assist Early Years child care professionals and home-based caregivers with a quick reference guide to provide a basic knowledge of healthy child development. The Red Flags guide will assist professionals and families in identifying when a child, aged birth through 6 years, could be at risk of not meeting health and development milestones.   

The Red Flags Guide is intended to assist in the determination of when and where child care professionals and families should refer for additional advice, formal assessment and treatment. It should be used in conjunction with other validated screening tools commonly used to monitor healthy child development.

CDP Coordinator, Sherri-Lee Bucci stated, “The sharing of the Government published guide book is our contribution to celebrating and honouring our community's children and those that care for them.  This guide is an adaptation of the Red Flags guide used in Canada.  

“The Red Flags booklet is designed to ensure childcare providers are aware of the typical development of the young child and know when to refer young children for further services and support. It will help ensure the needs of our young children are met through early identification and referral.”

Red Flags was first piloted in 2002, by the Simcoe County Early Intervention Council in Canada.  Permission for the Bermuda Child Development Programme was granted by the York Region Red Flags in 2010.  Following review and revisions, the Red Flag Guide has been modified to suit Bermuda’s needs. 

CDP will host a formal launch of the Red Flags Guide by hosting a training for child care providers on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 6 p.m. For more information please contact CDP at 295-0746 ext. 2224 or email [email protected].