Our Mission: The Arc Mercer is committed to securing for all people with developmental disabilities the opportunity to choose and realize their goals.
Step Ahead
Developmental Daycare
1015 Fairmount Ave.
Trenton, NJ 08629
609-643-5325
At Step Ahead, "my child has achieved more than I could ever imagine. The staff here is phenomenal. My expectations have far surpassed what I thought of my son’s development.”
-Laura Schroth
Parent
Developmental Daycare Program
Children at Step Ahead are offered an inclusive environment in which to learn. The program provides services to special needs children from birth to three years old.
The Step Ahead program aims to maximize every child’s potential. We work with children in a number of key areas, including social/emotional, physical, language, and cognition. By working together with parents, the staff are able to prepare a child so that the crucial first steps on the journey to learning begin on solid ground.
Services include daycare, parent support, transportation, group and individual education as well as therapeutic interventions.
We offer programs according to age and ability from birth to three years. Children are grouped in the following manner:
- Koala Bears - Birth to 15 months, and children with critical physical needs.
- Polar Bears - 15 months to 2 years. These children work at developing independent skills in feeding and playing.
- Zebras - 2 to 3 years. Teachers work with parents to develop fine and gross motor skills as well as language skills that are appropriate for this age group.
(Note: Age group classifications are typical but may vary.)
ENROLLMENT
To enroll your child, an application must be filled out and submitted. We accept applications until classes are filled and then establish a waiting list. Children ages birth through three years who have developmental delays are enrolled by referral through Early Intervention.
Long-term Benefits
For children with special needs, stimulating the potential for growth is essential. Studies have shown that early intervention, such as placing the child in a preschool, can help bring the child up to the speed of his or her typical peers and may lessen or even prevent the long-term effects of a disability.
At Step Ahead Early Childhood Learning Center, we've devoted more than 20 years to working with special needs children from birth through age three to encourage exploration and development in all areas: social, physical, language, and cognitive. Our curriculum at Step Ahead is specifically designed to address the needs of children with mental retardation and developmental disabilities, and to do so in ways that inspire them to reach for new goals and maximize their potential for continued growth. We work together with parents to prepare each child to take the crucial first steps on the lifetime learning journey on solid ground.
Why We Are Unique
- Children are placed in one of three classrooms based on their developmental progress with similar developing peers.
- 4:1 ratio (under 1 year old); 12:2 ratio (1 year to 3 years old)
- Our programs are run all year long.
A Typical Day at Step Ahead
A typical day at Step Ahead includes a balance of activities from morning circle to motor development/planning to playtime.
Aside from setting aside time for child-directed play, we organize circles of small and large group activities in our brightly colored multipurpose room.
And, of course, no day would be complete without a healthy lunch, snacks, and even some time to rest!
Safety & Security
Although we have an open door policy where parents and guardians can visit at-will, all visitors to our program must be “buzzed in” to our facility. Plus, security cameras are located in each classroom and throughout the facility in order to record activities both inside and outside the building.
Family
We routinely update parents and guardians on their child’s success. We also have an 80% attendance rate at our parent/teacher conferences and meetings and our family workers help foster a connection between school and home life.
Staffing
Our teachers are highly qualified and experienced in working with a variety of disabilities. They are also trained in CPR, First Aid, and dispersing medication.
Latest News
-
12/06/2011
read more >
Arc Mercer music program help keep clients rock steady (with video) -
11/18/2011 Annual Fall Gala 2011
read more >
An elegant autumn evening of dinner, dancing and celebration happening on November 18,2011 Friday 6pm-11pm -
10/06/2011
read more >
Hughes to open conference on meeting needs of transportation disadvantaged in Mercer County - VISIT NEWS PAGE
