Cheshire YMCA Honors Birth to Three Coordinator

The Cheshire YMCA recently honored the coordinator of the school district's Birth to Three program and the innovations she brings to it.

Donna Notti coordinates the program, which is housed at Darcey School in its Early Intervention Center. There they provide care, support and education for Cheshire children and their families from birth to 6-years-old.

The Birth to Three Program provides evaluations and services to families of infants and toddlers of Cheshire, Prospect, Naugatuck and Wolcott, Notti said.

The Darcey School Program provides an Early Intervention Center for preschoolers with learning needs, as well as a Reverse Mainstream program for typically developing preschoolers.

Kindergarten for the entire town is housed at Darcey School, as well. There is a drop in Parent Center offered on Fridays from 9:30-10:30 am and 1-2pm for children (birth to 5 years old) and their families. This program provides information on development, behavior and other parenting questions, as well as a place for Cheshire residents to come and play with their children.

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The Cheshire Birth-to-Three Program at Darcey Early Childhood Center is a certified provider for the Connecticut state-funded Birth-to-Three System. To become eligible for services, a child must meet certain state requirements. An individual evaluation determines eligibility.

Evaluations are available for any child whose parents have a concern about their child's development in one or more of the following areas:

• speech and language (the way a child understands and uses language); 
• fine or gross motor development (the way a child plays with toys and moves his body); 
• social-emotional development (the way a child interacts and plays with adults and other children); 
• cognitive development (how a child learns concepts, attention span and the ability to solve problems demonstrated through play); 
• and adaptive or self-help skills (including such things as holding his own bottle, feeding and dressing himself).

Referral for an evaluation is made by a parent or medical personnel by calling Infoline at (800) 505-7000.

The Cheshire Birth to Three Program also provides a Parent Center at Darcey School that meets on Wednesdays from 10:30-11:30am for children from Birth to Three years old and their families to come and play. This program is a community resource as well as an informal opportunity for families to ask questions about child development or possible developmental issues or concerns with their child. To ask questions or call to attend: (203) 272-9108.

The Cheshire Birth to Three Program assists and consults to local community programs on child development, learning strategies and any behavioral approaches to enhance their programs for young children. Its mission is to assist and build positive capacity in families and in the community.

For more information call Notti, Cheshire Birth to Three Program Coordinator, at (203) 272-9108.

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