What is a Self Contained Classroom?

A self contained classroom is a class composed of pre-school children (3 and 4 year olds) who would benefit from special services within a structured classroom composed solely of children having special needs. The goal of this type of setting is to work towards the children being ready for participation with typical peers as well as to help each child make progress towards the goals on their Individualized Education Plans.

Philosophy:

Achievements strives to make programs available in School Districts and areas where they are most accessible to the greatest number of families. This availability includes being on a bus line or within walking distance for families. This availability includes being located in daycares and preschools where wrap around care is available. Preschool children that require a structured classroom setting are placed within a classroom of typical peers to create an educational setting that benefits all of the children involved.

Staffing:

Our self contained classroom is run by a Special Educator, and two Teacher Assistants. Related Service Providers such as Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Counselors, Behavior Analysts, etc. may be found within the classroom at various times throughout the day/week.

Collaborations:

A collaboration is programming together which could not be accomplished by either party on their own. The specific need for a collaboration is to create a Self Contained classroom that has the opportunity to provide occasions for the children to integrate with their typical peers.

Location:

St. Paul's Preschool 21 Hackett Boulevard Albany, NY 12208 Click here for a map
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Class Size:

Achievements believes in small class sizes with high staff to child ratios. Our self contained classroom is capable of having 8 children enrolled. We believe that a high student teacher ratio allows an environment where optimal learning can occur.

Length of program:

Achievements is approved to provide a full day program. A full day program is 5 hours in duration. The five hour program begins at 8:00 AM and ends at 1:00 PM .

Program Calendar:

A program calendar is created and given to parents when their child enters the program. This calendar creates program availability from September 1 through June 30. The calendar, which closely replicates a typical school calendar, will include specific vacations, staff development days and holidays when children will not be in attendance.

Summer services if agreed upon at the Committee for Preschool Special Education will be for a 6 week period.

Related Services:

Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Physical Therapy, Play Therapy, Counseling, Service Coordination, Psychological Services, Behavioral Consultant Services, Social Work as well as other services are available within the program. Based on the needs of the children and the goals being addressed, qualified therapists will be in the program from one to five days per week. Services provided will be push in (special services given to the children within the classroom). Individual and group services will be given as they are described in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP).

Application Process:

If you are interested in learning more about programs and their availability contact Leslie Carey or Mary Sheridan, Program Co-Coordinators, by calling
518-782-1178 or by e-mail at leslie@achievements.org or mary@achievements.org.

Please provide the following information:

• Your name
• Your address
• Your phone number(s)
• School District you live in
• Your child’s name
• Child’s Date of Birth (DOB)
• Date of the (CPSE) Committee on Preschool Special Education Meeting
• What services have been approved at the CPSE meeting
• When are services scheduled to begin

If you would like to tour sites that have availability for placement, the tour will be arranged at this time. At the tour, your specific questions will be answered. If you choose Achievements for you services, the specific handbook and application for the program site will be given to you. Each site has the daycare or preschool application as well as the Achievements enrollment forms.