Preschool Special Education

Nassau County & Suffolk County - Long Island

What is Preschool Special Education?

The New York State Education Department (NYSED) oversees a statewide Preschool Special Education program in conjunction with school districts, and approved providers like Alternatives For Children. The program is designed for preschool children who have, or are suspected of having a disability pursuant to Section 4410 of Article 89 of the New York State Education law. Evaluations and specially planned individual or group instructional programs and services are provided to eligible children who have a suspected developmental disability that affects their learning.

How will I know if my preschool child needs Special Education?

If your child received Early Intervention services as an infant or toddler they may need to continue with a Preschool Special Education program. In preparation for your child’s third birthday your service coordinator will assist you with transition planning and make a referral to your school district’s Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE). If your preschool age child did not receive Early Intervention services, but has some suspected developmental delays, you may want to contact the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) of your local school district, who will then assist you in beginning the referral process.

The Evaluation Process

When your child is referred to the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE), you will be given a list of agencies approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED), including Alternatives For Children, who can provide Preschool Special Education evaluations.

Alternatives For Children provides Preschool Special Education Evaluations as authorized by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Preschool at Alternatives for Children

Audiological Evaluation
Educational Evaluation
Classroom Observation
Physical Therapy Evaluation
Occupational Therapy Evaluation
Speech/Language Evaluation
Psychological Evaluation
Social History
Vision Services Evaluation

The Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) Recommendation and the Individualized Education Program (IEP)

If it has been determined that your child has a disability that may be affecting their learning, the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) will find your child to be an eligible "preschool student with a disability.” The Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) will also recommend the program/services to meet your child’s individual needs and where they will be provided. The next step is for you and the other Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) members to write an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for your child that will list the recommended services to be provided.

What programs or services will my child receive?

The programs and/or services your child will receive will be outlined in their Individualized Education Program (IEP). The Individualized Education Program (IEP) will list the service, how many times a week the service will take place, the duration, and where the service will take place. The Individualized Education Program (IEP) will also outline what type of setting your child should be placed in to best serve their individual needs; these may include their daily child care setting, community location, or one of our four centers.

Alternatives For Children Preschool Special Education

Alternatives For Children is a New York State Preschool Special Education provider, offering both integrated and self-contained preschool classes. Our integrated classrooms offer children with special needs the opportunity to learn and grow alongside their typically developing peers. All four Alternatives For Children locations are licensed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

At Alternatives For Children, we use the Creative Curriculum, which is aligned with the New York State Pre-Kindergarten Learning Standards to guide young children in learning and acquiring necessary content and skills. The Creative Curriculum is an early childhood curriculum designed to foster children’s social/emotional, physical, cognitive and language development, as well as enhance learning in literacy, math, social studies, the arts and technology.

At Alternatives For Children we encourage children to become independent, self-confident, curious learners. We provide a natural learning environment with opportunities to enhance and enrich your child’s educational experience. Our comprehensive preschool programs, taught by dually certified special education/early childhood education teachers and certified teacher assistants, are designed so that children will meet or exceed the criteria established for their age, be ready to learn and be inquisitive, and be successful as they transition to the kindergarten environment. Graduates leave Alternatives For Children ready to learn and ready for Kindergarten.

Parent Involvement and Participation Welcomed
Music Class
Library
Sound Garden
Educational Technology Center
Outdoor Learning Environments
Handicapped Accessible Playgrounds
Dually Certified Special Education/Early Childhood Teachers
Full Time Nurse

Will my child have access to Special Education Related Services?

Alternatives For Children provides a full array of Special Education Related Services which are available according to your child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). Special Education Related Services are provided by licensed, experienced therapists.

Psychological Counseling and Services
Family Training and Counseling
Service Coordination
Assistive Technology Services
Health Services
Music Therapy
Nursing Services
Nutrition Services
Occupational Therapy
Play Therapy/Student Counseling
Physical Therapy
Special Instruction; Special Education Itinerant Services (SEIS)
Speech/Language Therapy
Vision Services
Transportation for IEP eligible children

Alternatives For Children Classroom Settings

Aquebogue Alternatives For Children
6:1:1 5 hour classes
12:1:2 5 hour classes (Integrated)
15:1:2 2½ hour classes (Integrated)

East Setauket Alternatives For Children
6:1:1 3, 4 and 5 hour classes
6:1:2 4 hour classes
8:1:2 5 hour class
12:1:1 2½, 3, and 4 hour classes
15:1:2 2½ hour classes (Integrated)

Dix Hills Alternatives For Children
6:1:1 5 hour classes
8:1:2 5 hour classs
12:1:1 2½ and 5 hour classes
12:1:2 5 hour classes (Integrated)ed)
15:1:2 2½ and 5 hour classes (Integrated)

Southampton Alternatives For Children
6:1:1 5 hour classes
6:1:2 5 hour class
12:2:1 3 hour classes (Integrated)
12:1:1 5 hour classes
18:2:1 3 and 5 hour classes (Integrated)

Preschool Special Education Evaluations, Preschool Special Education & Special Education Related Services for eligible children are provided at no out-of-pocket cost to families.

If services are delivered in a childcare setting or community location that requires a fee, the family is responsible for paying any associated costs providing access to the child care or community location.

Preschool Special Education Programs and Preschool Special Education Services are funded through County taxes and The New York State Education Department (NYSED) funds earmarked for Special Education Services.