Edinburgh Childcare 4 All is the brainchild of Capability Scotland and the Lothian Autistic Society and is funded with 200,000 from the Big Lottery Fund. The project aims to help childcare services provide for disabled children aged nought to 12.
Project manager Eric Mitchell said, 'We will work with and provide support to childcare providers to adapt games and activities, and give advice on the layout of rooms, resources and equipment.'
The service can also help settings develop inclusive policies and procedures and work with providers who already care for disabled children.
Training programmes will be available on subjects including ADHD, autism and ensuring disability equality.
National research conducted by Capability Scotland in 2003 highlighted the lack of affordable and accessible childcare for disabled children and their families. Almost 70 per cent of working parents of disabled children had to rely on family members to care for them.
