Addressing the Crisis: How to Reduce Expulsions of Children with Disabilities in Child Care

What happens when young children with disabilities are expelled from child care programs? Why does this disproportionately affect children with developmental challenges? How can educators, policymakers, and parents work together to create more inclusive early learning environments? These questions lie at the heart of a growing crisis in early childhood education.

The Alarming Rate of Expulsions in Early Childhood Programs

Research shows that children with disabilities are expelled from child care programs at significantly higher rates than their neurotypical peers. A study from the Yale Child Study Center found that preschoolers are expelled at three times the rate of K-12 students, with children with disabilities facing the highest risk. This troubling trend often begins a cycle of educational disruption that can have lifelong consequences.

In one real-world example, a 4-year-old boy with autism was repeatedly sent home from his preschool for "behavioral issues" until the program ultimately asked his family to leave. His parents struggled to find alternative care, forcing his mother to reduce her work hours. Stories like this highlight the systemic challenges facing families of children with special needs.

Root Causes Behind the Expulsion Crisis

Several interconnected factors contribute to this problem. Many child care providers lack adequate training in disability inclusion and behavior management. Staff shortages and high turnover rates exacerbate the issue, leaving educators overwhelmed. Additionally, unclear policies and limited access to specialists create environments where expulsion becomes the default solution.

A 2022 case in Minnesota illustrates these systemic failures. A daycare center with well-meaning staff expelled three children with developmental delays in one semester simply because they didn't have the resources or knowledge to support them. The center's director admitted, "We wanted to help, but we didn't know how."

The Lasting Impact on Children and Families

Expulsion from early childhood programs can have devastating consequences. Children miss critical windows for social and cognitive development, while parents often face employment disruptions. The psychological toll includes damaged self-esteem for children and increased stress for entire families.

Consider the experience of a single mother in Texas whose son with ADHD was expelled from three different preschools. "Each rejection made him more withdrawn," she shared. "By kindergarten, he believed he was 'bad' and didn't want to go to school at all." This emotional scarring demonstrates why early intervention is crucial.

Promising Solutions and Policy Interventions

Several effective approaches are emerging to address this crisis. Inclusion training programs for child care providers have shown particular promise. States like Colorado and Illinois have implemented coaching models where special education experts support child care staff. Federal initiatives like the Preschool Development Grants also aim to expand inclusive opportunities.

In Oregon, a pilot program pairing child care centers with behavioral specialists reduced expulsions by 72% over two years. "Having someone to call when I'm struggling has changed everything," reported one participating teacher. "Now we problem-solve instead of giving up."

What Parents and Advocates Can Do

Families play a critical role in driving change. Parents can:

• Document all communications with child care programs
• Request formal evaluations if developmental concerns arise
• Connect with disability advocacy organizations
• Push for policy changes at local and state levels

A parent-led coalition in Massachusetts successfully lobbied for legislation requiring child care programs to demonstrate expulsion prevention efforts. Their work shows how organized advocacy can create systemic change.

The Path Forward: Building Truly Inclusive Systems

Creating lasting solutions requires multifaceted approaches: better funding for staff training, stronger partnerships between child care and early intervention systems, and cultural shifts in how we view challenging behaviors. When implemented together, these strategies can transform early childhood education into a space where all children thrive.

A visionary program in New Mexico combines all these elements, offering training stipends for child care workers who complete inclusion coursework while establishing regional support networks. Early results show dramatic improvements in retention rates for both children and educators.