Ant’s Farm Childcare Center is designed specifically to support the needs of children with autism and other sensory processing challenges. We offer a highly individualized approach that tailors activities, routines, and interventions to each child’s sensory, emotional, and social needs. Our staff is trained in autism awareness and sensory integration strategies, ensuring a safe, supportive environment where each child can grow and develop at their own pace.
Ant’s Farm is a center where every detail is designed with these unique students and all students in mind. From the lighting used, the playground installed, the curriculum taught, the food served, the team hired… Everything is curated just for these children by real-life Autism families, advocates, and professionals.

Ant’s Farm is not a medical facility or a therapist office. What we are is an inclusive child care center built from the ground-up for all students of all abilities to learn, grow, and flourish.

We maintain a low staff-to-child ratio to ensure that each child receives the individualized attention and support they need. Depending on the child’s specific needs, we aim for a ratio that allows our educators and therapists to provide one-on-one guidance, support, and interventions. This ratio varies by age group and individual needs, but we strive to keep it as low as possible to create a personalized experience for each child.

Our center is designed with sensory needs in mind. We offer quiet spaces for children who need a sensory break, and our classrooms are equipped with soft lighting, noise-reducing materials, and calming activities. We also incorporate sensory-friendly activities, such as weighted blankets, fidget toys, and heavy work exercises, to help children regulate their sensory input and feel more grounded.

While we do not provide therapy services directly at our center, we understand that many children benefit from specialized therapy such as speech, occupational, or behavioral therapy. To support families, we have a dedicated therapy area where your child’s therapist can visit and conduct sessions during the day. We encourage open communication with families and therapists to ensure that we’re working together to support your child’s goals in a seamless way.

We use a variety of methods to support children with communication challenges, including visual supports (such as picture exchange systems or communication boards), sign language, and augmentative communication devices. Our educators are trained in alternative communication methods and work closely with speech therapists to help children express their needs and feelings in ways that are comfortable for them. We also create structured, predictable environments that support communication and language development.

Yes! We use a variety of methods to support children with communication challenges, including visual supports (such as picture exchange systems or communication boards), sign language, and augmentative communication devices. Our educators are trained in alternative communication methods and work closely with speech therapists to help children express their needs and feelings in ways that are comfortable for them. We also create structured, predictable environments that support communication and language development.

Social skills development is a key focus at our center. We incorporate structured social opportunities throughout the day, including group activities, collaborative games, and role-playing scenarios that help children practice social interactions in a safe and supportive space. We use visual aids, social stories, and peer modeling to help children understand social cues and develop important skills like sharing, turn-taking, and communication. Our staff also provides gentle guidance and coaching during these interactions to encourage positive social behaviors.

We use positive behavior support strategies that focus on understanding the child’s needs and helping them navigate challenges in constructive ways. Our approach is based on a combination of positive reinforcement and sensory integration techniques. We work closely with families to ensure consistency between home and school settings. Our goal is to create an environment where children feel safe and supported, and where behavior management strategies are tailored to their individual needs.

Yes, we understand how essential respite care is, especially for parents and caregivers of children with special needs. Caring for a child with autism or other developmental challenges can be rewarding but also demanding, both physically and emotionally. We are proud to offer respite care to give families a much-needed break, knowing their child is in a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment.
Whether it’s a few hours or a full day, our respite care services allow parents to recharge, attend to personal needs, or take time for themselves without worrying about their child’s well-being. We strive to be a resource for the special needs community, recognizing the importance of self-care for caregivers, and we’re here to support your family in every way we can.

We believe that communication with parents is essential to supporting a child’s development. We provide regular updates on your child’s progress through daily reports, parent-teacher meetings, and progress reports that track goals and milestones. We also encourage ongoing communication between parents and staff to ensure that both home and school environments are aligned in supporting the child’s needs. Parents are always welcome to reach out to us with questions or concerns at any time.

Yes, we follow a structured yet flexible curriculum designed to support both academic and developmental goals for children with autism. The curriculum is individualized to accommodate each child’s abilities and learning style. We use evidence-based practices to teach social, communication, motor, and cognitive skills in a way that’s engaging and meaningful. In addition to academic learning, we emphasize life skills, emotional regulation, and sensory integration through a variety of activities and experiences.

Enrollment is easy! We encourage interested families to schedule a tour of our center (coming Summer 2025) and meet with our staff to discuss your child’s specific needs. During the tour, we can answer any questions you have about our programs and how we can best support your child. We will also review the enrollment process and discuss any documentation or assessments we may need to complete. To start the enrollment process, simply contact us via phone or email, and we’ll guide you through the next steps.

Safety is a top priority at our childcare center. Our facility is designed to be sensory-friendly and secure, with measures in place to ensure a safe, calm environment. All staff members are trained in autism awareness, first aid, CPR, and behavioral management strategies. We also maintain clear communication with families to ensure that all of your child’s needs are being met in a safe and supportive manner.

We offer Fixed-Rate Tuition that is determined by the number of days a child attends per week. This ensures transparency and simplicity for families, allowing you to easily plan and budget for your child’s care.

In addition, we offer Additional Care Programs with separate fees for services such as Summer and Holiday Camps, as well as Respite Care. These fees are based on the specific service and duration, so families can select the care options that best meet their needs. We are committed to providing affordable, high-quality care while keeping our pricing structure clear and easy to understand.

Please contact us at info@antsfarm.org for more information.