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What Sets Us Apart

What Sets Us Apart

  • little boy at the piano
  • two little girls covering their eyes
  • children painting and doing crafts

Our Team

Since 1988, Alternatives For Children has provided high-quality educational and therapeutic programs for children across Long Island, focusing on those with the greatest needs during critical stages of development.

Our experienced team designs individualized programs to help each child reach their potential.

We are approved and licensed by the New York State Departments of Education and Health, the Office of Children & Family Services, and the Nassau & Suffolk County Departments of Health.

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.

We meet or exceed all state-mandated student-to-staff ratios and offer a full range of Early Intervention, Preschool Special Education, and Related Services. Using a whole-child approach, we integrate therapeutic and educational services to achieve IFSP and IEP goals.

Programs include Child Day Care, Universal Pre-K, and Special Education Preschool, creating natural learning environments that foster independence, confidence, and curiosity. Our Early Intervention services give infants and toddlers their first educational experience while supporting families.

Our graduates leave ready to learn and succeed in kindergarten.

 

 

 

 

A smiling toddler looks at the camera in a brightly lit classroom.

Our Curriculum

What Our Preschool Curriculum Teaches
Our whole-child approach promotes kindergarten readiness in all areas of development: language, literacy, mathematics, social-emotional, physical, cognitive, social studies, science & technology, and the arts.

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 curriculum nurtures 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 teaches empathy, problem-solving, and self-regulation, all critical for a smooth transition to kindergarten and lifelong success.  

Human Skills Curriculum for Early Learning | Second Step®

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