Education Programs
The centerpiece of ABC is quality early childhood education. ABC's preschools and early intervention programs celebrate young children in all their exquisite diversity by appreciating their unique contributions, encouraging their optimum development, honoring their shared humanity and treasuring their infinite potential. Parents are actively involved and integral to all of ABC's programs. Children thrive in classrooms that are alive with joyful songs, purposeful activities, brilliant colors and tender moments. There are corners to explore, mysteries to solve, books to discover, paint to splatter, drums to bang, steps to conquer and towers to build ... and rebuild.

Each early childhood program has its own special focus, yet all are rooted in ABC's commitment to the principle that every child is a precious gift, entitled to the best possible start - one that is full of happiness, accomplishment and love.

Merricat's Castle School
In Merricat's Castle School's three beautiful and warm classrooms, preschoolers learn academic skills as well as the lessons of patience, kindness and caring. Typically developing children and children with special needs are cherished and grow in a nurturing setting where the process of learning is an adventure in acquiring social, intellectual, emotional, creative and physical skills. A special education staff coordinates medical, psychological and language services, and families enjoy parent workshops, counseling and a close involvement in the life of the Merricat's community. Merricat's Castle's impact reaches far beyond its walls; it is the national model for preschool inclusion and champions the integration of homeless, disabled and terminally ill children with children from the neighborhood.

Cassidy's Place
At Cassidy's Place, named for Kathie Lee and Frank Gifford's daughter, preschoolers who live in poverty and suffer from severe disabilities, serious medical problems and have significant special needs develop, play and learn in eight lively and inviting classrooms. Children who might, otherwise, be unable to attend school enjoy an enriched curriculum and the special therapies that help them achieve their highest potential. Blending Head Start, preschool special education and Universal Pre-Kindergarten, Cassidy's Place provides a full day that is enriched with comprehensive and integrated support services for each child and each family member. A glorious backyard playground affords the children daily opportunities for outdoor play. Through ABC's Policy Council, parents are directly involved in their children's education. Parents benefit from parent-child activities, discussion groups and skills workshops and take a leadership role at this very special preschool that recently celebrated its tenth anniversary, rededicating itself to ensuring vulnerable children the best possible start.

Variety Cody Gifford House
Named for Kathie Lee and Frank Gifford's son, Variety Cody Gifford House provides early intervention for infants and toddlers who live in poverty and struggle with severe developmental disabilities and delays and serious medical conditions. Children from birth to three receive special educational and developmental therapies as they play and flourish in beautifully and vibrantly appointed classrooms and therapy rooms. Home-based early intervention is also offered to over 50 families in the community. Behind this charming brownstone is a serene haven for the families and a tranquil playspace for the children. Here, a memorial garden honors ABC's children.

The Keith Haring School
The Keith Haring School is located at The Jamie Rose, ABC's permanent supportive housing program for homeless families with HIV and AIDS. Adorned with Keith Haring's whimsical silhouettes, it is a stimulating Head Start and Universal Pre- Kindergarten for the residents' young children as well as for children from the community. Keith Haring's classroom is organized into inviting activity centers that promote learning and readiness skills and, through dramatic play using puppets, literature and multi-sensory activities, the curriculum also addresses the emotional impact of loss. A close collaboration among parents, teachers and social workers enhances the effectiveness of program.

Cutie Patootie Early Childhood Center and The Stephen & Catherine Graham School
The Cutie Patootie Early Childhood Center and The Stephen & Catherine Graham School are located at Echo Park, ABC's multi-service center for children and families. Both early childhood education programs benefit greatly from the comprehensive array of services that are available on-site and can “wrap around” to strengthen each child's family. They include a children's mental health clinic, an after school and weekend educational, recreational and mentoring program, therapeutic groups for children in crisis, parent support groups and employment assistance through In Good Hands, which provides parents the formal instruction, career counseling and supervised apprenticeships that can lead to permanent employment in the child care and early childhood professions.

The Cutie Patootie Early Childhood Center serves infants, toddlers and preschoolers who play, learn and delight in beautiful classrooms that reflect the vigor and promise of its young students. Healthy, delicious meals and snacks are prepared for the children in a state-of-the-art kitchen. A comfortable and well stocked young children's library and reading room and a technology center further augment the curriculum, and a rooftop playground is being developed to ensure the children a safe and exhilarating space to play.

Home-based Head Start brings the philosophy and practices of the classroom to families in the community.

The Stephen & Catherine Graham School is an enriched, inclusionary day nursery dedicated to serving homeless and especially vulnerable infants and young children in East Harlem. It offers a safe, stable and caring environment and the carefully individualized education programs that are designed to meet each child's special needs. An after school Universal Pre-Kindergarten program is provided for the four year old children in both programs.