St. Mary’s Hospital for Children Early Education Department is dedicated to providing preschool special education services to children with the most complex medical conditions in NYC. By working closely with their families, our early education program provides a consistently safe, happy, and positive learning environment so that every child can flourish.
Our students are able to access an engaging multimodal curriculum that is aligned to the New York State Preschool Foundation for the Common Core. In our self-contained special needs classrooms, our teachers are experts in adapting the environment, instruction, and methodologies to make preschool accessible to our student population. Simultaneously, at the heart of preschool education, we work to promote independence to the extent of each student’s abilities.
St. Mary’s Preschool Reopening Plan
We developed a reopening plan that conforms to the guidelines provided by the New York State Education Department, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Bureau of Child Care, and the New York City Department of Education. This plan has been revised and updated, as needed so that it can adjust to the changing public health conditions caused by the COVID-19 virus. Our families and staff have contributed input and we rely on them as we move forward in reopening. Our attempt is to be as flexible and responsive to the needs of our students, families, and staff members.
Our goal is to provide the highest quality of educational programming and related services during these difficult times. This can include in-person services, remote learning, or a blended combination of both. By working together and remaining focused, we will be able to find solutions to the challenges ahead.
Our Safety Procedures
- We reopened virtually in September
- Parents and guardians have a choice of continuing virtual learning or sending their child to preschool in a blended model.
- The children who do physically return to preschool are separated into groups. Each group alternates their attendance and is physically present 2 days and remote 3 days
- Our staff is required to be tested weekly
- Children are required to be temperature checked and screened, but not tested, on a daily basis
- The preschool students and staff are limited to their wing and are not allowed to enter the hospital lobby or the hospital
As the coronavirus/COVID-19 health situation continues to evolve, we are committed to protecting the health and well-being of our patients and families. Together, we are taking steps to minimize the spread of the viruses system-wide and in the community. St. Mary’s continues to follow the guidelines from the federal and state regulatory agencies.
