Q: How many adults are involved in the EEP class?

A: There is a certified Special Education teacher and three aides who attend to the educational needs of the children during the two hour sessions.

Q: How many children are in the EEP Class?

A: There are no more than six children in the class, thus there is a four adults to six children ratio.

Q: Are therapies, such as OT, PT or ST included in the EEP class?

A: No, OT, PT or ST services can be scheduled either before or after the school sessions.

Q: What is the routine of the EEP class?

A: This is a socialization class during which time, the children start out in a gross motor/sensory room or outdoors, then move back into the classroom for circle time at the computer with the teacher leading the group, then go on to snack time, small table top play time and then floor time in the different areas in the room.

Q: Where does my child go after the EEP classes?

A: Depending on the needs of the child, many children with multiple disabilities enroll in the Center's Preschool Classes, while others may enroll in their home district preschool classes or go on to other private schools.

Q: Who pays for the Early Enrichment Program?

A: Parents pay on a monthly basis for the program and there is a sliding scale. Even the present fee costs are nearly 50% of the real costs as this program is supported by grants, foundations and donations to the Center and the Board of Directors has made a determination that as part of the mission of the Center, they want to enable all parents to enroll their child in the EEP classes.

Q: How could a family get a reduced fee for the EEP classes?

A: The family can request reduced fees at the time of the Intake Interview; the most recent year's IRS filing by the family is submitted to the Executive Director/Principal. This information is kept in the strictest of confidence and a determination is made to reduce the fees for the family. No child is turned away due to the inability to pay.

Private School Classes

Q: How young can children enroll in the Preschool Class or Primary Class?

A: Children must be at least 3 years old for the Preschool program and 5 years of age for the Primary program. The local school district then takes responsibility for the education of a child with special needs from three years of age and the parents need to work with the school's child study team to come to a joint agreement to place the child at the Center.

Q: Who should be contacted about enrollment in the Preschool or Primary classes?

A: Marvin Leiken, Exec. Director/Principal should be called or a message can be left and he will return phone calls. He will then talk with the parent about the program overview and discuss with the parent their child's needs.

Q: Is there a Waiting List to get into the Preschool and Primary classes?

A: There is usually a waiting list, but as children turn five years of age and may move on to their home district or children move from the area, openings for children come up frequently. Usually the best time for openings to occur is September of each school year.

Q: Do I as a parent need to stay in the class during the session?

A: No, parents are not usually allowed to stay, unless it is the first or second session in which the child has enrolled. We do encourage parents to bring their child in the first day, perhaps stay in the building and then as the parent feels comfortable, use the district provided bus transportation to bring the child back and forth to school.

Q: How many adults are involved in the Preschool or Primary Classes?

A: There is a certified Special Education teacher and two to three aides who attend to the educational needs of the children during the five and a half hour school day. Some of the children may have their own 1:1 nurse or 1:1 aide, depending on the severity of the needs of the child.

Q: How many children are in the Preschool or Primary Classes?

A: There are no more than 8 children in each class.

Q: Are therapies, such as Occupational, Physical or Speech therapies included in the Preschool or Primary Classes?

A: Yes, three sessions at 30 minutes per session for OT, PT and ST services are scheduled during the school week along with music therapy two times a week.

Q: Are there other kinds of services at the Children's Therapy Center?

A: The Center provides not only private school classes, but also a Nursery School for children ages 18 mos. to 3 years, a clinic for occupational, physical and speech therapy, a feeding clinic for children with oral motor problems and an assistive technology evaluation and treatment center for children who need alternative means of communicating.

Q: Who should be contacted to obtain information on the various services?

A: Contact the Executive Director/Principal at either the e-mail address, mleiken@thechildrenstherapycenter.org or call the school/clinic at 201-797-7440.

Q: What is the routine of the Primary or Preschool Classes?

A: This is an educational class during which time, the children follow either the Preschool Expectation Standards for Preschool or the Core Curriculum Content Standards under the overall Carolina Curriculum for Young Children with Disabilities. Thus, the day may include Free Play, Circle Time, small group activity, snack time, large group activity, lunch, quiet time (not necessarily naptime), group activities, large muscle outdoor play or indoor play, and then getting ready to go home. All the needs of children in term of language, cognition, motor, sensory and social/emotional issues are addressed, based on each child's Individualized Educational Plan. During all of that time, children are taken out of the classroom for individual therapies.

Q: Where does my child go after the Preschool classes?

A: Depending on the needs of the child, many children with multiple disabilities continue to be enrolled in the Center's Primary Classes, while others may enroll in their home district preschool classes or go on to other private schools.

Q: Where does my child go after the Primary classes?

A: Depending on the needs of the child, many children with multiple disabilities may enroll in their home district schools or go on to other private schools in Bergen, Passaic or Essex Counties.

Q: Who pays for the Preschool and Primary Class Enrollment tuition?

A: School Districts pay the tuition for enrollment in the Center's Private School Classes.

Q: Who approves the Private School Classes and Program?

A: The New Jersey Department of Education has approved the Preschool and Primary Class Programs and this was initially approved in 1996.

General Information

Q: How long has the Center been around?

A: The Children's Therapy Center, also known as the Cerebral Palsy Center, Bergen County, Inc., was initially incorporated as a private, non-profit clinic in 1950 when it was located on the grounds of Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, NJ. The Center then moved to the Fair Lawn location in 1986 and the private school was opened in 1996.

Q: Is the Center part of the National United Cerebral Palsy Organization or United Way?

A: No, the Center is not part of the United Cerebral Palsy or the United Way. However, many donations come to the Center through the United Way because employees designate the Center as the recipient of their donations.

Q: Can a donation be made to the Center?

A: Yes, the Board of Directors is dependent on the generosity of many donors who support the Center and checks may be made out to: The Children's Therapy Center, 29-01 Berkshire Road, Fair Lawn, NJ 07410 or by calling and speaking with our Secretary, we can take a credit card number for Visa or MasterCard for your donation.

Q: Does the Center have a Newsletter?

A: Yes, there is a quarterly newsletter that goes out to friends and family.

Q: What fundraising activities does the Center hold?

A: Along with several smaller fundraising events held annually, the Center holds a Golf Outing and a very large Dinner Dance Gala/Silent Auction at the Venetian, Garfield, NJ.

Q: Who should I contact to work on Fundraising Activities?

A: The Director of Development, Audra Hoffman, should be contacted at ahoffman@thechildrenstherapycenter.org or call at 201-797-7440 x227 to work any of the events.

Q: If I want to volunteer at the Center either in the classroom or in the office, who should I contact?

A: Volunteers should contact Lisa Valderrama, Volunteer Coordinator and Assistant Director of Development at lisav@thechildrenstherapycenter.org, or 201-797-7440, x228; and you will have an opportunity to meet with Lisa, visit the Center and decide where you may best want to volunteer. The Center is very dependent on the work of volunteers, both on a regular basis or on an as-need basis.

Q: If I am seeking employment, who should I contact?

A: Call the Center at 201-797-7440 and speak with the receptionist; or contact the Executive Director/Principal at Mleiken@thechildrenstherapycenter.org to inquire about the possibility of employment.