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Welcome to the Readiness Program

The Readiness Program is a full-day, center-based program for children ages 3 to 5 who reside in the Bronx, have been referred to the program through their local Committee on Preschool Special Education, and display a developmental delay in one or more of the following areas: cognitive, speech and language, fine or gross motor skills, sensory integration, adaptive or social-emotional development. Preschool age students with visual impairments including blindness are accepted into the program

The students are grouped together in small classes with a teacher and two teacher assistants. Support services such as Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Counseling are provided to children in order to meet their educational goals as mandated by the Individual Education Plan (IEP).

The Readiness Program works closely with the families and offers parent training and support groups to assist the families in advocating for their child's educational needs. The Monolingual and Bilingual groups meet regularly with a social worker who facilitates the meetings. The Readiness staff believes that young children, regardless of their disability, learn when they are fully participating and interacting with people and their environment.

The curricula include Teaching Strategies, TEACCH and visual supports consisting of Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Super Symbols and True Object Based Icons (TOBI) which are incorporated into all aspects of the students' day.

In addition, the teachers, psychologist and administrative staff have worked together to create a social skills program in line with the New York State Department of Education Social Emotional Learning standards.
Monthly themes are woven into the curricula along with music activities and fun hands-on learning opportunities.

Whether it is watching chicks hatch, competing in tricycle races or displaying artwork, the children are provided with real learning experiences to reinforce basic concepts and skills.