Programs & Services

Elizabeth Seton Children's Center Elizabeth Seton Children's School Elizabeth Seton Children's Rehabilitation Center

Elizabeth Seton Children's School

Preschool Special Education School-Age Special Education Early Intervention Curriculum Related Therapeutic Services

Preschool Special Education

Preschool Special

Education

Elizabeth Seton Children’s School features 12 full-day classrooms for children ages 3 to 5 years living in the community. Referred by their local school districts, students receive educational and therapeutic services according to their Individualized Education Program (IEP). Our curriculum is guided by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Eight of our classrooms focus on guided play and discovery with targeted skill-building and individualized adaptations that ensure learning is fully accessible to each child, regardless of their developmental challenges. Another two classrooms focus on social skills and successful engagement. Referred to as our Therapeutic Opportunities for Preschool Students (TOPS) program, these environments have structured daily routines that emphasize children’s self-control using proven strategies developed by our therapeutic and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) teams. All classrooms have a ratio of 10 children with one teacher and three teacher assistants, which allows for small and large groups and individual learning interventions.

Children with and without special needs learn together in a play-based and enriching environment in our two Special Class in an Integrated Setting (SCIS) classrooms. This curriculum fosters early academic skills and independence in social, language and self-care skills as children prepare for kindergarten. Ratios are 12 children with one teacher and two assistants/aides.

Children’s Place
Preschool

Because we believe that a child’s early learning is critical for later-on success, our innovative Children’s Place Preschool, which works hand-in-hand with our SCIS program, offers an enriching education for children ages 3 to 5. Through play and a focus on literacy, school readiness and social relationships, we work to prepare each and every student for kindergarten. We offer flexible scheduling and private-pay tuition rates.

Preschool Evaluations

Helping your child reach new heights is an important to us. We offer comprehensive evaluations through the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE). Our core evaluation team, including a school psychologist and social worker, utilize evidence-based assessment methods to gather information on a child’s medical and developmental history, as well as their current intellectual and social milestones. Additional specialists include physical, occupational and speech language therapists, as well as special educators, who conduct specific evaluations as authorized by the school district.

Elizabeth Seton Children’s School partners with local colleges and universities to support continued growth of the education profession. Through our affiliations, future teachers have the opportunity to advance their skills through field observations and student teaching placements. Additionally, educators engage in professional development through research-based projects with institutions of higher learning. Our current partnership with Manhattanville College involves the utilization of technology to enhance the literacy skills of young children.

School-Age Special Education

School-Age Special

Education

We have one classroom for those ages 5 to 8 years old with a ratio of eight children to one teacher and two teacher assistants/aides. Individualized instruction in literacy, math, social studies, science and the arts is aligned with New York State Learning Standards. All children, including those who require extra aid, are able to take their learning to a new level with the full support of our caring teaching staff and specialized environmental adaptations.

Early Intervention

Evaluations

Initial multidisciplinary evaluations, which assess motor skills, communication and education goals, are offered on-site or in the home setting for children with complex medical needs. From there, specialists and families collaborate to create an assessment of strengths/needs for Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) planning. Developmental assessments are available with a pediatric physiatrist who collaborates with equipment vendors to determine the need for assistive technology. Assessments in the areas of gross and fine motor, oral motor, communication, cognition and social skills are targeted through our individual evaluations.

Ongoing Service

Coordination

Service coordination is available for families enrolled in the Westchester County Early Intervention Program. Our service coordinators work with parents to access the assistive technology and medical support services needed for their medically complex child.

Toddler Developmental

Group

Children 18 months to 3 years who qualify through the Westchester, Putnam or New York City Departments of Health Early Intervention Programs are eligible for our half-day program. Special instruction occurs in an enhanced developmental group with occupational, physical, speech and vision therapies as part of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Learning opportunities include guided floor play, sensory activities, music, movement, instructional snack, daily care skills and outdoor play.

Home-Based Special

Instruction for Early

Intervention & Preschool

Elizabeth Seton Children’s School also provides educational services to children in their home/community settings in accordance with an Individual Education Program (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP).

Curriculum

Our curriculum model integrates theme and skill-based learning in an enriching environment built on proven principles that ensure access, participation and developmental progress for all children. As recommended by the Division of Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children, our curriculum promotes active engagement and learning, individualizes teaching and adapts evidence-based practices for each child based on their strengths and needs and closely collaborates with families and professionals.

We believe that all children are capable of learning, making progress and achieving goals. And as part of our education program, each child’s background, culture and linguistic differences are taken into account. Families are an invaluable part of the teaching team and are encouraged to actively participate in all aspects of the school experience to foster a home/school connection that contributes to their child’s lifelong learning.

The Unique Learning
System

Students with complex learning needs are provided with meaningful access to the general education curriculum through theme-based units that align with national and State learning standards and cover science, social studies, language arts and math lessons.

Handwriting Without
Tears (HWT)

This nationally recognized program supports early reading, writing and math skills through a multisensory, evidence-based approach. Children move, touch, feel and manipulate objects while developing skills they’ll need in kindergarten.

Positive Behavioral
Interventions and
Supports Program (PBIS)

Our PBIS program results in confident and responsible learners who embrace the values of respect, compassion and cooperation. Through supportive environments, nurturing relationships, partnerships with families and targeted social skills instruction, children learn how to “be safe, work together and be ready to learn.”

Technology and Adapted
Toy Library

Technology is an invaluable learning tool. Interactive SMART televisions and iPads are in every classroom so children can learn in new and exciting ways. An extensive library of learning devices and toys specially designed to develop early learning skills is available for families.

Music and Art

Students enjoy interactive weekly music sessions with our music specialist who encourages literacy and social skills through rhythm and the use of instruments. Classrooms rotate during the year to receive sessions with a certified art therapist so that all children can experience the joy of creative engagement with art and sensory materials.

Animal Assisted Learning
(AAL)

Our AAL program enhances science lessons through hands-on contact with animals with visits from a certified pet therapy dog and through collaborations with our environmental outreach program.

Field Trips

At Elizabeth Seton Children’s School, we want all of our children to get the chance to learn outside of the classroom. Throughout the year, field trips are scheduled to enhance curricular units and connect classroom learning with experiences that broaden each child’s understanding of the world.

Related Therapeutic Services

Related Therapeutic

Services

Elizabeth Seton Children’s School offers physical, occupational, speech and vision therapies to children individually or in small groups according to their Individual Education Program (IEP) or Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). All services are provided by New York State licensed therapists who have specialized training in working with neonatal, pediatric children with medical complex conditions. Psychological and social work services are also offered to our families.

Related service therapists work with our classroom staff and families to meet the learning needs and styles of each child. They frequently collaborate with Elizabeth Seton Children’s Rehabilitation Center, on the first floor of our building, where many students receive medical services. This unique, holistic approach creates transformational outcomes for children.

Our therapy gyms are fully equipped with therapy balls and bolsters, adapted tricycles, swings and specialized equipment to ensure achievement of the highest level of functional independence. Furthermore, school-wide events create a community experience of working together on targeted developmental skills and child-specific goals that can be connected with learning at home.

Physical Therapy

Several of our physical therapists are certified in Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) and all therapists are trained in NDT principles. Staff members also have specialized training in the daily management of personal adaptive equipment (i.e., orthotics, ambulatory aides, standers, etc.). Our equipment specialists collaborate with other clinicians, classroom teams and families to design the right solutions for each child.

Superhero Training
Program

At Elizabeth Seton Children’s School, we believe that every child is a superhero and are continuously inspired by their strength and resilience. This unique strength and conditioning program, designed by one of our therapists, motivates children to find their inner superhero while learning that we all have different strengths (aka superpowers) and weaknesses. It also teaches the value of understanding and acceptance.

We partner with many colleges and universities to provide a comprehensive learning experience in physical therapy. We are affiliated with: Hunter College, Ithaca College, Mercy College, New York University, Quinnipiac University, Sacred Heart University, Stony Brook University, the University of Scranton, the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and D’Youville College.

Occupational Therapy

Our occupational therapists are trained in Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT) principles and specialize in sensory processing, sensory motor, visual motor and play and self-help skills, which all improve learning.

Our programs include the Therapeutic Listening program, which uses specially designed music to effectively address sensory modulation, motor planning and attention issues, and our Sensory Smart program, which is a school-wide intervention program led by a therapist with extensive sensory training and Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) certification. In this case, individualized sensory strategies are developed for children who need the additional sensory processing support. Ongoing consultative services are available for both families and classroom staff and carryover home programs are readily available.

We partner with many colleges and universities to provide a comprehensive learning experience in occupational therapy. We are affiliated with: Mercy College, Quinnipiac University, Stony Brook University, Thomas Jefferson University and the University of Scranton.

Speech Language
Therapy

Our team of dedicated speech language pathologists have Certificates of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA), are licensed by New York State and are certified as Teachers of Students with Speech and Language Disabilities (TSSLD). Many therapists also have advanced training in Prompts of Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets (PROMPT) and Sequential Oral Sensory (SOS) approach to feeding and are skilled in therapeutic feeding, dysphagia, activity-based language learning and literacy, augmentative and alternative communication and articulation disorders.

We partner with many colleges and universities to provide a comprehensive learning experience in speech therapy. We are affiliated with: Ithaca College, Mercy College and New York Medical College.

Vision

Teachers of the visually impaired work directly with children and offer classroom supports to teachers and related service providers. Through the adaptation of both materials and the environment, they ensure each child’s safety, ease in access to the curriculum and ability to use vision and other senses for learning.

Counseling

Our licensed clinical social workers provide psychological counseling and individualized classroom supports to improve emotional and behavioral outcomes for children. They collaborate with families to implement strategies for challenging and complex behaviors.

Social Work

Our social workers support both children and their families through parent training and classroom consultative services. Empowerment and advocacy skills are also strengthened as part of their parent support work.

Do you have any questions?
Please contact us at 1 (833) 63-SETON