*Noam is a happy little boy with a positive disposition, and always manages to put a smile on people’s faces. Since he was six months old, Noam has attended the same CHW daycare. When Noam was two years old, he sprang into daycare one morning and announced that he was going to be a big brother!
Sadly, months later, Noam’s mother gave birth to a stillborn. One year later, Noam’s mother gave birth to a baby girl with Down Syndrome. The little girl’s condition was very severe and required her to attend a specialized daycare that could best care for her needs.
Noam took this very hard. At his young age, he could not comprehend why his baby sister could not come to daycare with him. Noam struggled to understand why his sister was different. Noam shared that he wanted her with him so that he could ‘watch over her’ as her proud big brother.
The manager of the daycare saw a major change in Noam and was concerned for his well being. Noam had retreated from his friends, he became antisocial, he no longer smiled and played, and there were noticeable changes in his development.
As the daycare offers specialized home services, the manager approached Noam’s parents in order to provide them with the right tools to help their son. Noam’s parents agreed that they were struggling coping with their new situation. The daycare brought in a psychologist and social worker to help Noam during the day and also to counsel his parents in order to have the right skills to assist Noam while at home.
After a few weeks, Noam’s parents, the manager, and the caregivers began to see positive changes in Noam as he was slowly returning to his old ways. Noam slowly began to reengage with his friends and regain his cheerfulness.
At the age of three, Noam left the daycare to enter kindergarten. Noam left as a happy and well-adjusted little boy. One year later, Noam’s mother returned to the daycare as she had given birth to her third child, a healthy baby girl and wanted to enroll her in the same daycare Noam had attended as she knew she would receive the best level of care.
Noam’s mother shares that she and her family will never forget the special care and attention they received from the daycare during their challenging time. To them, the daycare is an extension of their own family.
*Name changed for confidentially
