About Us
Welcome to Alternatives For Children
Since 1988, Alternatives For Children, a not-for-profit private school, has been at the forefront of providing high-quality educational and therapeutic programs for children of all abilities, from infancy through preschool, across Long Island.
Our dual-certified teachers, licensed therapists, and full time, on-site nurses, work together to support every child’s development.
We are approved and licensed by the New York State Departments of Education and Health, the Office of Children and Family Services, and the Nassau and Suffolk County Departments of Health.
Our programs include Early Intervention, Preschool Special Education, Universal Pre-K, and Child Day Care, integrating educational and therapeutic services to support IFSP and IEP goals.
About Us
Our Purpose and Principles
At Alternatives For Children our mission is to provide the highest quality special and general education programs and services to children with disabilities and their typically developing peers.
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We accomplish this mission through:
- Individualized Support
- Measurable Progress
- Advocacy
- Expanding Opportunities
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We believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive.
Our philosophy centers on meeting individual needs through compassionate care, innovative education, and family partnership, building a strong foundation for lifelong growth.
Our vision is to create a world where every child, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential and live a life of dignity, confidence, and possibility.
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- Accountability – We provide programming that is results driven and outcome oriented.
- Compassion – We deliver programs and services in a kind and caring manner.
- Collaboration – We utilize an integrated team approach based on shared goals and mutual respect
- Dedication – We maintain relentless optimism and perseverance to support those we serve at a critical time in their development.
- Integrity – We implement our mission with the greatest responsibility, accountability and highest ethical standards.
- Innovation – We embrace continued quality improvement, creativity and change.
Our Team & Curriculum
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Our Team Includes
- Dual Certified Teachers- NYS-certified special education and early childhood teachers, supported by certified teaching assistants.
- Licensed therapists specializing in Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, Vision Services, Music Therapy, and Art Therapy.
- Licensed psychologists and social workers for counseling and family support.
- Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) who oversee targeted interventions and supervise behavior support staff.
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The Creative Curriculum
At Alternatives For Children, we offer environmentally structured classes using the Creative Curriculum, a research-based approach aligned with the New York State Pre-Kindergarten Learning Standards. This aims to nurture children’s social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development while building strong foundations in literacy, math, social studies, the arts, and technology.
Social Emotional Learning
At Alternatives For Children, we use Second Step® Early Learning to help preschool agd children build essential social-emotional skills. Through short, engaging daily activities, students learn how to listen, focus attention, manage emotions, and get along with others. Using fun tools like puppets, photo cards, songs, and family activities, the program promotes empathy, problem-solving, and self-regulation, all critical for a smooth transition to kindergarten.
We are also committed to the Developmentally Appropriate Practices outlined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), which guide our philosophy and daily interactions:
- Creating a caring community of learners
- Teaching to enhance development and learning
- Planning curriculum to achieve important goals
- Assessing children’s development and learning
- Establishing reciprocal relationships with families
