Abilities Center Saratoga
10 Mountain Ledge Dr, Gansevoort, NY (518) 306-1808 www.abilitiescentersaratoga.com
At Abilities, we offer a preschool program for children 18 months to 5 years, creatively designed with a blend of all learning styles. We all have our different ways of learning - visually, verbally, physically, socially, and even independently. When a child can find the way that suits him/her best, at an early age, they will continue to learn most effectively.
Our priority is to foster all children's natural love for learning and communication through guided, self-choices of physical exploration and discovery, creating lifelong self-help skills that will build a foundation for confidence and success. Through a daily routine that is simple, yet well thought out, we teach the balance of active and quiet times.
Our preschool program ensures that all students have access to high quality learning opportunities. Our STEM curricular projects provide the stimulation, materials, and freedom to explore, discover, and integrate knowledge to build a lasting foundation for success in the community and home.
We inspire and encourage imaginative play, music, arts, crafts, science, and interactive physical play in our creatively designed classrooms, sensory motor gym, and outdoor playground.
Early Preschool: Curiosity. Movement. Independence. Confidence.
Our Early Preschool Program for the 3-year-old child, is the ideal stepping stone to the preschool environment. Children will build new skills as they engage in movement games in our sensory-motor gym, create artwork, explore sensory play, and work together to discover. Traditional topics are integrated into the centers and introduced in the context of play. 3 day or 2 day options are available.
Toga Tykes: Move. Explore. Discover. Thrive.
Toga Tykes is a drop-off enrichment program designed for children from 18 months of age. This group approaches learning through play, movement, and exploring to build independence and self-confidence in a warm, nurturing, and stimulating environment. Children will be inspired by free-choice centers, manipulatives, imaginative play, music, arts and crafts, science, and interactive physical play.
Pre-Kindergarten Readiness Program: Eager. Enthusiastic. Independent. Social.
Abilities Preschool Program is packed with carefully designed activities that promote strong cognitive, language, social-emotional and physical development. 4-year-olds will engage in peer interaction, enjoy movement games in our sensory-motor gym, discover in our learning centers, make music, and gain confidence and respect.
High Peaks Program: Integrated classrooms where children with and without educational special needs learn together in a play oriented setting. This program follows the same preschool curriculum as all other Abilities classes, while providing additional advantages.
In this setting, two lead teachers, one with a special education focus, work collaboratively to teach an integrated classroom of 3 and 4 year olds. The integration of the children stimulates the progress of all of the children in many areas of development including language, social emotional, motor and self help skills. The children without identified needs learn quickly in a developmentally appropriate environment and are more likely to develop positive attitudes, empathy, the understanding that others have different experiences and perspectives and gain an appreciation for diversity. Being an equal member of a classroom community provides many important benefits including increase of self esteem and the formation of friendships.
A new expansion at Abilities houses more classrooms, offices, therapy spaces, and new students. Within the now 5,000 square-foot center, children explore the sensory motor gym which includes climbing structures, swings, a ball pit, zip track, monkey bars, a slide and more....year round!
At Abilities, every staff member is highly qualified to help your preschooler thrive. We are proud to have a high teacher to student ratio, giving your children the attention that they deserve. In addition to our preschool classes, our center is also home to speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.
Having our professionals on site is beneficial, as they are available to screen development, evaluate, and support all of our students. Our therapists collaborate with our classroom teachers to promote wellness and development of all children. The Handwriting Without Tears Program, adapted by our Occupational Therapists, is incorporated into all age curriculums, whether learning their colors, learning to draw shapes, a person, or to write their name. Yoga sessions with our Pediatric Physical Therapist help our children to calm, focus, and build strength.
COVID-19 Information:
At Abilities, students will be in small groups (pods) and remain with each other throughout the day in an effort to prevent inter-group contact when feasible.
There are no required maximums on cohort or group sizes beyond our normal class size.
Class arrival and dismissal times are staggered to prevent the mixing of cohorts. Students wash hands and undergo a brief screening including a temperature check, then step onto the shoe sanitizing mats. When weather permits, windows and doors are opened to allow for greater air circulation. Air filtration systems are upgraded with in class air filters, uvc air filters and MERV 13 filters in our HVAC systems are being utilized.
These are just some of our COVID-19 safety protocols that have been implemented, to see the full list, please visit us online.
Open House and Admission Information:
Registration will be open to the public beginning on 1/11/21 for all preschool programs. Completed applications are accepted on a first come, first served basis and must be accompanied by a $75 non refundable registration fee as well as a $75 program deposit. Deposits will be deducted from the last tuition payment.
Parent Testimonials:
“My twins have loved Abilities! This year I chose for them to be in the integrated classroom where there was both a regular and special education teacher, knowing they would receive more individualized attention throughout their day. The teachers are an amazing team, utilizing many different teaching strategies that cater to each individual child. My kids come home each day describing all of the activities they did, singing songs they’ve learned, showing off their crafts, and naming the friends that they played with. I’m so glad I went with this program. The teachers and staff are amazing, and my kids are learning so much and having fun.
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“I cannot express strong enough how deeply grateful we are for Abilities. My child is THRIVING at Abilities this year. (And has for 2 1/2 years as a student in Toga Tykes, Early Preschool, and now High Peaks). Her teacher sends monthly progress reports home that are thoughtful and clearly have my daughter’s overwell being in mind. Having her teacher recognize my daughter’s natural temperament and helping her to self advocate appropriately- is such a GIFT. I so much appreciate and value our experience at Abilities.” -A.C
“Abilities is a place where you want your child to go to succeed! I travel to the school an hour there and an hour back home each day. This year she is a typical peer in the integrated High Peaks class. When my granddaughter was 18 months old, I got her into the EI program and I chose Abilities after the tour I took there! The facility is amazing for any child and they have a great team of therapists and teachers who care about the children and their families. It’s easy to communicate with them all and get to the bottom of what your child’s needs are. My granddaughter is now 4 1/2 years old, has graduated from her Speech and OT therapy program, and will go to regular kindergarten because of the amazing staff at Abilities.
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