Growing Together: Updates & Exciting Expansion in Our Infant-Toddler & Pre-K Programs
At The Centers for Exceptional Children (CFEC), every new school year brings fresh opportunities to empower children of all abilities, support local families, and expand the high-impact care that defines our mission. As we kick off the 2026–2027 school year, we are thrilled to share several major milestones, program upgrades, and new therapeutic offerings across our classrooms.
Five Classrooms of Exceptional Leaders
Demand for high-quality, inclusive early childhood education and specialized care in our community remains high. We are proud to report that our program is currently operating five classrooms nearing full capacity with 33 unique students enrolled across our program. Some classrooms still have a few openings, and we welcome interested families to contact us with the form on this page to inquire about enrolling.
Our unique, reverse-inclusion program reflects our deep commitment to accessible, high-quality care for all young leaders, regardless of ability. Students with disabilities and special healthcare needs learn alongside typically-developing peers, and the outcomes are remarkable for all students. Children with special needs gain peer role models and rich social contexts to reach developmental milestones, while typically developing children gain emotional intelligence, individualized educational attention, and an enduring foundation of inclusion and respect.
Bridging the Pre-K Gap: Expanding On-Site Therapy Services
For the very first time, we have expanded our comprehensive on-site therapy services directly into our 3 & 4-year-old Pre-K classroom.
This expansion fills a critical gap in our local early childhood system. Frequently, young children with special needs who require ongoing physical, occupational, or speech therapy do not meet the specific eligibility criteria for the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WSFCS) Exceptional Children (EC) preschool program. Previously, these children faced limited options or interruptions in their therapeutic care.
Now, these students can remain at CFEC for their Pre-K years while continuing to receive the essential therapy services they need on-site. This seamless continuity ensures they maintain developmental progress and reach key milestones as they prepare for kindergarten.
Uninterrupted Care: Summer Therapy Continuation
Another major step forward this year was the expansion of our therapy services throughout the summer months.
In the past, CFEC students who were enrolled during the traditional school year but did not attend the summer academic program often experienced a gap in care or had to temporarily transition their therapy to outside providers. This summer, we were able to offer continuous therapy services to non-summer-enrolled CFEC students. By eliminating seasonal disruptions, our clinical team helped children maintain hard-won skills, prevent regression, and enter the new school year ready to thrive.
What’s New: Outdoor Learning & Kindermusik®
We are continually enhancing our daily curriculum to nurture the whole child through rich, multi-sensory learning experiences. This year, families can look forward to two exciting additions:
The Outdoor Classroom: We are building out dedicated outdoor learning spaces that encourage gross motor development, sensory exploration, and interactive play in a natural environment.
Kindermusik® Classes for All Students: Music, movement, and language development are merging in our classrooms! Our Therapeutic Enrichment Teacher, Sarah Jane Martin, recently completed specialized training and certification in Kindermusik®. She will be leading weekly Kindermusik® sessions for all students across all five classrooms, integrating therapeutic music activities that support cognitive, social-emotional, and physical growth.
Looking Ahead
Whether expanding clinical care into Pre-K, eliminating summer service gaps, or introducing therapeutic music and outdoor exploration, our goal remains singular: to provide every child with the tools, care, and joyful environment they need to reach their full potential.
Thank you to our dedicated staff, generous supporters, and wonderful families for making this progress possible!
