AFC’s Early Childhood Education Project provides individual case assistance, community education, and policy advocacy to improve access and equity in early childhood education so that all children enter kindergarten prepared to succeed.
The first five years of children’s lives are a crucial period in their development. We help families navigate the City’s various early childhood education programs and work to remove barriers that prevent low-income families from accessing services during these key years, with a focus on young children with developmental delays or disabilities, children from immigrant families, and children in temporary housing.
“Joseph has flourished over the past six months! Thank you for working so diligently on his case and securing this last year of support services. I'm certain he wouldn't have made this progress if you hadn't worked so hard to provide him the opportunity to work and achieve!”
With AFC’s help, Haley was able to enroll in a school that specializes in serving children with needs like hers and to receive additional physical therapy.
When three-year-old Julian exhibited difficulty understanding language and expressing himself, his mother sought a special education evaluation. Although the DOE initially approved Julian to receive speech therapy, then they called to say he was no longer be eligible.
Learn more about early childhood education programs for New York City’s youngest learners, including the legal rights of young children with developmental delays or disabilities and services they can receive in Early Intervention, preschool special education, and kindergarten.
Our free trainings and workshops provide important information to help parents, communities, and professionals advocate effectively on behalf of their children
