Elmcrest Childrens Center Inc

Elmcrest is proud of its long history of helping children of all backgrounds get a strong start to their academic career. Since launching its Early Childhood Services program more than 35 years ago, Elmcrest has earned a reputation as the area’s top early childhood program for children facing the most challenging barriers to academic success. We welcome the opportunity to work with children and parents who other programs turn away. We believe that every child can learn, grow and thrive, and that we have the capacity to make a difference.

Elmcrest’s 11,000-square-foot Early Childhood Education Center, located at 960 Salt Springs Road in the city of Syracuse, is home to three integrated programs:
• Small Wonders Daycare for 48 preschool children as young as infants
• Universal Pre-K for 4-year-old Syracuse city residents
• Special Preschool Interventions for Children’s Education, known as SPICE

SPICE is an inclusive preschool that delivers services to meet the Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for three- and four-year olds who have been identified as having special needs, while educating them alongside their typically developing peers, most of whom are part of Syracuse’s UPK program. Using a holistic model, we provide speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, play therapy/counseling, and social work support. We implement the Syracuse City UPK curriculum (Core Knowledge Language Arts program, Second Step social emotional curriculum), which aligns with the common core standards, in all of our preschool classrooms.

The SPICE Program has grown to include 40 preschoolers in a full-day (5 hour) inclusive program plus six preschoolers who need more intensive supports in a special class environment. In 2017, we began collaborating with the East Syracuse-Minoa School District to bring SPICE to their Park Hill Pre-K School. That half-day program serves 40 preschoolers.

Elmcrest's Northside Early Education Center provides UPK, daycare and non-traditional (5 p.m. to midnight) daycare. The center is located in the neighborhood with Syracuse's highest concentration of New Americans. It operates in partnership with and in the same building as Syracuse's Refugee Assistance Program. It provides support for the families of refugees, immigrants and low-income residents of the city.

Elmcrest’s Casey's Place is a safe, fun place for children with developmental disabilities or medical fragility to have fun, make friends and learn skills while their family members get a break from constant care.

Habilitation services allow children with developmental disabilities to practice and develop skills they need to become more independent and reach their full potential.

Elmcrest is dedicated to supporting families and providing services to children in their homes and communities so that more intensive residential services for children aren't required. Elmcrest provides the following community-based services to families in nine Central New York counties:
• Evaluation, assessment and treatment planning
• Behavior education to build social, interpersonal and daily living skills
• Prevocational services and supportive employment
• Specialized services for children affected by sexual abuse
• Family support services (visitation, case management, care management, mental health counseling and
parenting education)