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Westcop Therapeutic Nursery
PO Box 173
Granite Springs, NY 10527
Telephone-(914)243-0501
Fax-(914)243-0646
Our Program
We are a New York State Education Department approved preschool program serving children serving children with special needs. The children have been approved to attend our school through the CPSE’s in the school districts in which they reside. Our program provides services to children aged 3-5 years of age to address behavioral, emotional, and developmental concerns and to prevent the emergence of more serious problems for children.
The Learning Environment
Interest Areas for exploration, discovery and learning are evident in each classroom. The teacher’s role is an ongoing cycle of observing children, guiding their learning throughout the day during large and small group times, routine times and in high interest areas. Their progress is continuously assessed.
Our Team
Our team consists of: A Registered Nurse, New York State Licensed Social Workers, Certified Special Education Teachers, Speech Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists and Teaching Assistants.
Our Services
Evaluations, both monolingual and bilingual, are performed in the home and/or community by Psychologists, Speech Pathologists, Occupational and Physical Therapists and Special Educators
Promotion of technology-Smart Boards, Smart Table and iPads as an integral part of each classroom
Parent Support Groups and Guest Speakers
Enrichment supported by weekly Music, Yoga, Dance and Animal Program
Speech Language therapy, Counseling, Occupational and Physical Therapy
Transportation to and from our facility by Westchester and Putnam Counties
Class Makeup
Full day Preschool class with a maximum of 12 children (12:1:2)
Full day Preschool class with a maximum of 8 children (8:1:2)
Two half day classes with a maximum of 12 children (12: 1:1)
Four half day Special Classes in an Integrated Setting (6:1:1)
Contact Person
Cheryl Rosenfeld, Director
Westcop Therapeutic Nursery
The Head Start program (for children ages 3-5) and Early Head Start program (for pregnant women, infants, and toddlers) are comprehensive early childhood development programs that support income-eligible families as well as strengthen children’s skills to promote success in later life. Children who attend Head Start participate in a variety of educational activities that promote early learning in the areas of science, language, literacy, math, fine and large motor skills and social-emotional development.
Head Start is not just for children. It is a family-centered program where parents are encouraged to become active partners in their child’s learning. Parent education, family support and social services are available to support and empower Head Start families. Families may participate in meetings or training involving topics on: health, CPR, job preparation, parenting and nutrition and may learn about many community resources.
Head Start and Early Head Start are funded by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Westchester Community Opportunity Program, Inc. (“WestCOP”) is the grantee agency responsible for the oversight of Head Start and Early Head Start programs in Westchester (excluding White Plains) and Putnam counties. With the exception of Head Start programs based in public schools, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services licenses all Head Start and Early Head Start programs. School-based programs must meet the regulations of the New York State Education Department.
Head Start Annual Report 2009
Head Start Annual Report 2010
Head Start Annual Report 2011
HEAD START 2008 IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY
- There were 2245 families with 2494 children enrolled in a Head Start or Early Head Start programs in Westchester County .
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There were 25 Head Start centers throughout the county offering full or part day programs.
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A total of 264 children enrolled in Head Start or Early Head Start were identified as having special needs and received support services.
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Community members and Head Start families spent 3,395 hours volunteering in Head Start activities.
Families interested in enrolling their children in Head Start
must meet income eligibility requirements.
To see if your family is eligible for Head Start or Early Head Start
please contact the Head Start center that interests you.
Head Start programs in Westchester County.
The goal of the Head Start/Early Head Start program is to:
- Enhance children’s’ physical, social, emotional and mental development
- Enable parents to be better caregivers and teachers to their children
- Help parents meet their own goals, including economic independence
In Head Start and Early Head Start centers children have the opportunity to work and play individually and in small groups according to their interests and abilities. Learning through play is an important part of the Head Start program. Children actively explore problems, learn to plan, make choices and follow through on decisions.
All Head Start/Early Head Start programs must comply with Head Start Program Performance Standards and meet vigorous health and safety regulations. These standards provide a framework for the services provided and create standardized definitions of quality to ensure the highest level of accountability.
To assess the progress of each child in Head Start program the Performance Standards include on-going developmental screenings for motor, language and cognitive skills in addition to hearing, vision and behavioral screenings.
Head Start and Early Head Start are inclusive programs which provide support for children with special needs. Bi-lingual staff and community volunteers ensure that non English speaking children are included in all parts of the program. When there is an opening in a center, eligible children are accepted regardless of their developmental level or primary language.
WestCOPs Early Childhood programs do not celebrate religious or calendar holidays in the development of curriculum or classroom activities. Instead, teachers select projects or themes that align themselves with seasonal changes and provide experiences that reflect the interests of the children and are inclusive of all members of the community. In addition, families are encouraged to share music, dancing and clothing of their culture all year round.
Head Start/Early Head Start are programs for the entire family. Each center offers families opportunities and support for growth, based on their own strengths, needs and interests. Program staff supports families as they identify and plan to meet their own goals, nurture the development of their children in the context of their family and culture and advocate for communities that are supportive of all cultures.
Head Start services are locally designed and community based. Each WestCOP Head Start center maintains community partnerships and resources with both agency and private practitioners.
THE CLASSROOM
The education program in a Head Start classroom is a child centered, individualized program with an emphasis on children and parents developing a positive self image. The children become curious, productive learners through their play. The program offers a blend of individual, small group and large group activities, active and quiet periods, indoor and outdoor time and child-initiated and adult-initiated activities.
Head Start and Early Head Start centers overseen by WestCOP use a variety of curriculum to encourage learning and discovery. The teaching staff receives on-going training in how to incorporate activities from the following curriculum:
- Creative Curriculum – A comprehensive curriculum with guidance on teaching literacy, mathematics, science, arts, technology and social studies which uses an inclusive, strength-based approach that is appropriate for all children, including dual-language learners and children with disabilities.
- Eat Well/Play Hard - A nutrition curriculum which encourages children to try healthy foods through cooking and tasting activities.
- Second Step Anti-violence Curriculum- Helps children and staff to learn to use strategies for conflict resolution, and emotion regulation
- I Am Moving, I Am Learning - A curriculum to introduce learning concepts through physical activity and to prevent childhood obesity in the Head Start classrooms.
The basis of the Head Start Educational Plan comes from the eight domains of learning that are used in all Head Start classrooms. These include:
- Language - Vocabulary, speaking skills and assisting non-English speaking children to begin to learn the English language.
- Literacy - All activities that prepare children to learn to read and understand books and other written material.
- Mathematics - All skills related to numbers, shapes and recognizing things in our environment.
- Science - Discovering how our world works and exploring aspects of our life.
- Creative arts - The Creative Arts domain covers activities in art, music and creative movement.
- Physical health - Physical activities that strengthen and coordinate the large and small muscles in our bodies as well as discussions about health and nutrition.
- Social and emotional - Activities that help the child feel comfortable in school and with other children. This domain helps children discover appropriate behavior in a social setting.
- Approaches to learning - Helping each child discover how she/he learns best and can complete activities in a satisfactory manner.
SUPPORT SERVICES
Support services are an important component of the educational plan for children in a Head Start or Early Head Start program. Ongoing evaluation and monitoring of the environment and curriculum allow for continuous reflection, collaboration, vision, and change. Head Start families and staff work together to document the health history of each enrolled child. Parents/guardians, physicians and Head Start staff members develop individual health plans for any child identified as having special health needs
Physical Health
Center health professionals assist families in finding an ongoing system of family health care. Referrals to doctors, dentists and other health providers are available.
Emphasis is placed on prevention of illness and the promotion of good health practices. This includes periodic assessment of the child’s health status and prompt correction of health problems. Complete medical and dental exams and appropriate screenings such as hearing and vision screenings are part of the Head Start program. Referrals are made to the proper agency (e.g., the child’s pediatrician) when indicated.
All children coming into the program must have a record of up-to-date (or at least “in-progress”) immunizations on file prior to being admitted. Health records for each child include: a current physical with a TB test, information regarding allergies, any other pertinent acute health problems, and medications prescribed for the child.
Dental Health
Head Start programs stress preventive dental care with an emphasis on proper diet, tooth brushing, regular dental visits and prompt treatment. Dental Education is ongoing in the classroom. Children brush their teeth during the time spent at the center. Dental screening is a requirement for each child. Families are encouraged to find a local family dentist who will follow the child as he/she grows.
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