This Crown Heights Preschool is Designed by Therapists. Here’s Why.

It’s a sunny morning in late December and a group of children are clearing up after breakfast. They toss their plates in the trash bin, roll up the tablecloth, and carefully place the cereal and milk back on the shelf.

As they clear up, they practice their communication and fine motor skills. A board-certified behavior analyst oversees the activity, ensuring that each child is using expressive and receptive language as they independently complete the task.

This is a typical learning experience for students at the Lighthouse Early Learning Center (ELC), a Crown Heights preschool that’s exceptional in more ways than one.

The ELC, which launched September 2022, is the neighborhood’s first and only preschool exclusively for children with special needs. 

Here, therapy and education are one and the same.

“The goal is to create an authentic preschool experience while targeting childrens’ specific developmental goals throughout the school day,” says director Pessy Raitman, M.S. Ed., BCBA, LBA. 

The curriculum is designed by board-certified behavioral analysts. Teachers work with therapists to build individual programs for each student, allowing them to work on therapeutic goals within the classroom setting. 

Students talk about the weekly parsha, celebrate chassidishe yomim tovim, and enjoy all the typical preschool activities–except here, occupational, physical, speech, and behavioral therapy are integrated into everything they do. 

“Our students receive therapy in the framework of a classic, chassidishe preschool curriculum,” says director Esty Tsap, MS Ed. “At the same time, we have a team of ABA-trained professionals on hand, as well as a full sensory gym and everything we need to help children with special needs grow and thrive.”

With the school year well underway at the preschool’s new Midwood Street location, parents are excited by their children’s progress. 

“We’ve seen huge changes since the start of the school year,” says ELC parent Chana F. “Our son doesn’t have to be taken out of the classroom for services, because his therapy is integrated into every part of his school day. 

He’s getting way more help than he did in his old preschool, and we absolutely see that difference.” 

Her son’s social and communication skills have improved, she notes, and he’s “calmer and happier.”  

“Circle time is therapy. Snack time is therapy. The whole day is designed by people who understand my child’s specific needs.” 

Not only are the therapy and education one and the same, Raitman says, but it’s also the timing that makes a difference.

“Neuroplasticity is most constant and rapid during the first five years of life,” she explains. “Young children can more easily unlearn negative habits and replace them with positive ones. We’re taking advantage of this small window of opportunity to teach important skills and behaviors, setting our students up for success further down the line.

Essentially, we’re laying the groundwork for healthy future development.” 

The Lighthouse ELC is open to children between the ages of 3 and 5. Hours are 9 AM – 3 PM, and the schedule follows the same calendar as community schools.

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

“We started this preschool because we believe children with special needs deserve an education that’s built for them, not the other way around.” Raitman shares. “And for these children, the school day can be all the therapy they need.”

Spots at the ELC are available for the current January 2023 school year, as well as for the upcoming September 2023 school year. To register or schedule a tour, call 718-218-5528 ext 101 or email esty@thelighthousech.com

Visit thelighthousech.com for more information.