Port Jeff Library Holds Preschool Fair

Choosing the right preschool for one’s child is a challenge faced by many parents. Fortunately, the second annual Preschool Fair held at Wednesday provided a diverse selection of schools catering to the many different needs of children.

This was the case for parent Nazly Ortega, who attended fair with her son.

“I’m looking for creativity. I’m looking for something with music,” Ortega said. “When I was a kid, I wanted to be an architect. My son likes all that and using his hands.”

For those looking for a school that caters to creativity and building confidence, Faith Nursery School, located in East Setauket, is a non-profit, Bible oriented school that features art and music in the classroom.

“They do a Van Gogh art project themselves. We play guitar in the classroom. We build confidence, so that they can read through music and other activities. We do a lot of creative activities,” said Christine Miller, director of the school.

For those looking for flexible scheduling and a challenge for their child, Briarwood Montessori School, located in Stony Brook and opened since 1993, is the home of “No Screens Wednesdays,” with the idea of turning off all screens and tuning into new activities.

“We have very flexible scheduling. They can come in for short periods of the day or long periods of the day,” said Rita Levine, director and owner of the school. “We are the home of Brinkley [an alien-like creature of no particular gender], who challenges the children with ‘No Screens Wednesdays.’ We encourage them to do other things, play outside, bake cookies and more.”

To reward the children for taking a break from technology, the school has several activities.

“We have Brinkley games, and they can earn games,” Levine said. “We like to encourage kids to go outside and play. We even have Brinkley in our natural playground. A mom painted it on a stone with her child.”

The program has had a tremendous success rate due to parental support.

“We have a 100 percent success in the two years we’ve been doing it. It works, because parents support it. The parents are amazing,” Levine said.

For those whose child has special needs, Alternatives For Children Child Day Care Center, located in East Setauket, provides special and regular education programs and services to children with disabilities and typically developing peers. Opened since 1988, the school also works closely with the child’s family and believes in a dynamic comprehensive team approach to learning.

“We provide evaluations for families,” said Dorothy Creegan, early childhood coordinator of the school.

Among other schools that attended include , Harbor County Day School and Play Groups School.