At our center, we are incredibly proud of our dedicated and experienced team of educators. Every single teacher brings a wealth of experience in working with children of diverse abilities, fostering an environment where every child feels supported and empowered to grow. Our team is a unique blend of former special education teachers, highly skilled Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs), and even parents of children with special needs themselves. This diverse background ensures a compassionate, knowledgeable, and empathetic approach to every child’s development. We encourage you to visit our “Meet the Team” page on our website to learn more about the incredible individuals who make up our wonderful and nurturing team!

A cornerstone of our holistic approach to child development is our weekly enrichment days. On these special days, children have the invaluable opportunity to engage with both Speech and Occupational Therapists. What makes this service truly unique is that no diagnosis is required for participation. This inclusive approach ensures that every child can benefit from these specialized interactions, regardless of their individual needs or developmental stage. We are committed to making these beneficial services accessible to all our families, which is why this service is provided at absolutely no additional cost and is fully included in your weekly tuition. We believe in providing comprehensive support that truly enriches your child’s learning journey.

A key factor in our ability to provide individualized care and education is our unwavering commitment to smaller class sizes. We firmly believe that a lower student-to-teacher ratio is crucial for ensuring that every child receives the personalized support and focused attention they need to not only thrive but to truly flourish. Our class size ratios are meticulously designed to maximize individual interaction and tailored instruction:

• For our 1-year-olds: We maintain an exceptionally low ratio of 4 children to 1 teacher. This allows for extensive one-on-one interaction, ensuring the foundational needs of our youngest learners are met with utmost care and attention.
• For our 2-year-olds and older: We maintain a ratio of 11 children to 1 teacher, plus an additional teacher assistant. This ensures that even as children grow, they continue to receive significant individual support while also fostering positive group dynamics and collaborative learning experiences.

These small class sizes are not just a benefit; they are fundamental to our philosophy of personalized education, allowing us to cultivate an environment where every child’s unique potential is recognized, nurtured, and celebrated.

• For our 1-year-olds: We maintain an exceptionally low ratio of 4 children to 1 teacher. This allows for extensive one-on-one interaction, ensuring the foundational needs of our youngest learners are met with utmost care and attention.
• For our 2-year-olds and older: We maintain a ratio of 11 children to 1 teacher, plus an additional teacher assistant. This ensures that even as children grow, they continue to receive significant individual support while also fostering positive group dynamics and collaborative learning experiences.

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.

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.