The Journey Begins Here

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 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.

Climbing, Tumbling, Leaping…

At Step Ahead, children have numerous opportunities for activities that stimulate growth. A typical day includes a balance of learning and play activities that develop fine and gross motor skills as well as socialization, speech, language and cognition skills. Child-directed play, organized circles of small and large group play, and age-appropriate quiet time are worked into the daily routine as well.

Why Choose Step Ahead?

• At Step Ahead, we understand the importance of the team approach to caring for children. Our staff is an important component on the Special Child Health Services child study team, which also includes parents, therapists and case managers.
  
  
• As part of the child study team, our staff help set goals for every child, are trained on how to best help each child achieve those goals and communicate regularly with parents about how their child is doing. Frequent parent meetings allow you to meet with the staff who are caring for your child and to discuss your concerns, your child’s progress and next steps.
  
  
• After children reach age three, staff will work to transition them to an appropriate preschool program.
  
  
• Our full-time nurse supports children who have medical issues and also provides training for parents about handling the general medical needs of their child.
  
  
• Step Ahead Early Childhood Learning Center is open year-round on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed for federal and state holidays). Transportation to the Center is provided for all children.