Special Education Preschool Opens at New Location in Crown Heights

The proper help, given at the right time, can change your child’s life.

That’s why The Lighthouse, a Crown Heights ABA agency, is opening the neighborhood’s first special education preschool.

“Our students receive therapy in the framework of a full, chassidishe preschool curriculum,” says director Esty Tsap, MS Ed.

Tsap and ELC staff work with BCBAs to build individual ABA programs for each child. This gives students an authentic preschool experience while targeting their specific developmental goals throughout the school day.

Instead of pulling them out of the classroom, Tsap explains, “we work on each child’s goals within the classroom setting. Each student is an integral part of the class.”

Speech therapists, occupational therapists and physical therapists work closely with teachers, BCBAs, and parents to ensure a collaborative and holistic approach that addresses the whole child, both at school and at home. This targeted early intervention combined with the integrated preschool/ therapy approach prepares students to smoothly transition to mainstream programs in the future.

“This program is remarkable in that it’s structured like a regular preschool but targets individualized goals,” says pediatric speech-language pathologist Alonna Bondar, who has been working with a student at the Lighthouse the past year. “It’s an excellent way to give these children the early intervention that’s so critical for their futures.”

As a special education preschool, students that have an IEP may be eligible to receive tuition reimbursement.

The new preschool location at 524 Midwood Street between Kingston and Brooklyn avenues, Tsap notes, is filling a need for families who currently travel out of the neighborhood for specialized preschools.

The Lighthouse Early Learning Center (ELC), the agency’s preschool division, is open to children ages 2 years through 5 years. Hours are 9 AM – 3 PM and it follows the same calendar as community schools.

Tsap believes the program will have a major impact.

“I’m looking forward to utilizing my twenty-plus years of experience in preschool education with children of all abilities to make a difference in the lives of our students and their families right here in Crown Heights.”

To register for the ELC 2022-2023 school year, call Esty at 718-218-5528 ext 101 or email esty@thelighthousech.com.

Visit thelighthousech.com for more information.