Alexa’s PLAYC

Alexa’s PLAYC is extraordinary. There’s no other way to say it. Since the day we were fortunate and blessed enough to enroll our 2 year old son at Alexa’s after he received an «at risk» assessment, our already sky-​high expectations have been consistently exceeded. My wife and I can say without hesitation that the phenomenal staff at Alexa’s PLAYC positively changed the path of our son’s future, and consequently our entire family’s as well. I cannot understate the significance of their impact to our family and our son now and forever. The difference and progress he has made in just under a year at Alexa’s has been astonishing. When I think back to where our son was a year ago and where he is now, and the progress he has made, it’s nearly impossible to contain the tears of relief and joy. There is no doubt in our minds that progress was a product of the unique dynamic that is Alexa’s PLAYC. Unique, in that the staff, headed by the visionary and incomparable Dr. Jen, is able to effortlessly merge a nurturing, caring, and authentic love for the children in their care with real and effective measures designed to help «at risk» children adapt and assimilate with their typically-​developing peers. All the while, the teachers at Alexa’s are able to also foster the progress and growth of the typically-​developing children more effectively than most child care providers, because of their stellar credentials and experience. Through the concept of immersion, they’re able to provide the help the «at risk» children need by allowing them to pattern their behavior to that of the typically-​developing kids while the staff seamlessly and consistently works in ABA and other related methods designed to help the «at risk» children.
From what I can tell, there are several reasons why this all works so well.
1) They always have a blueprint and a plan which is not static, but instead dynamic and adaptable. Dr. Jen has proven to be extremely adept at diagnosing the areas each unique child needs to work on. In conjunction with consistent input received from the child’s teachers, she assesses the strengths and weaknesses of each child, and with the teachers and the parents, develops an ever-​evolving plan to work on those areas both at Alexa’s and at home.
2) They value communication, both input and output, and work to ensure that they’re not only teaching the children but the adults as well. They achieve this through bi-​weekly in-​home visits and slightly, less frequent on-​site visits. There is never a time they are not engaged and open about what they are doing, what they are seeing, and what more they or the parents can do to further help the children.
3) The teachers are outstanding people across the board. To a one, they care intensely about ALL the children in their care. We’ve been to many day care facilities and have never seen a level of professionalism and love as is shown each and every day at Alexa’s PLAYC. I sometimes pick up my son and wonder «do these people ever have a bad day?» They always have a genuine smile and a positive attitude, and I think that comes from an authentic love for what they are doing. My son is in room «Walrus» and the team there is exceptional. It’s entirely clear they care very deeply about the well-​being of the children and have dedicated their lives to helping them. Noël, the teacher specifically assigned to our son, is simply fantastic and is truly invested in our son’s development, as are every single one of the teachers in room Walrus and the school as a whole. This attitude of commitment to the health and well-​being of the kids can be seen at every level of the organization from Dr. Jen, who sets all of it in motion, to the administration staff. Which brings me to…
4) The equally amazing administration staff. The school runs like clockwork because of the staff that is equally motivated by their dedication to these children. Headed by Sarah D, who was once a teacher at Alexa’s and understands the ins and outs of the techniques and methods, there is never a false step. One of her many roles is to make sure there are no organizational missteps that would distract or impede the therapeutic work being done and in this she excels. Everything runs like a well oiled machine and because of it, the children and families benefit.
I realize that this review reads like an advertisement and that’s fine by me. The amazing progress that my son has made due to Alexa’s PLAYC compels me to write this review. If I could, I WOULD take out a billboard ad for Alexa’s PLAYC, if for nothing else than to acknowledge the unsung heroes that work so hard each and every day there to help develop these children, both those «at risk» and those that are not. Our lives and that of our precious son are forever changed thanks to Alexa’s PLAYC. And, we are forever indebted.

My son was identified as «at risk» and was fortunate to be able to begin attending Alexa’s Playc shortly after his 2^nd birthday. The progress he has made has been astounding and the level of support from staff has been invaluable every step of the way. There are so many wonderful things to say about Alexa’s Playc that it is difficult to write a review without writing a book. However, I will try.
Whether your child is «typically developing» or «at risk» there are several things about this facility which set it apart and above other agencies where you could send your children. 1. The Staff! It is obvious that every person who works here, from the receptionist to the psychologist to the teachers, LOVE their job. It is also evident that their whole purpose in coming to work every day is to LOVE and GROW your child. It doesn’t matter who I speak to or if I know them, every staff member knows and addresses my son by name when we walk through the hallway. 2. The ratio! I don’t know of any other facility that offers such a low ratio of children to adults. 3. Security! This place is locked up tight. You need to be buzzed in or have a key. The outside of the building is mirrored so no one can see inside and the outside play areas are very secure and blocked from view as well. 4. Transparency! Ever been to a child care facility where they tell you the kids do art and you see 20 perfectly cut and put together snow men on the wall? Well you know the staff had a great time but the children were probably not that involved. At Alexa’s they give you and post a weekly schedule of what the kids will be doing. Every week has a theme with structured activities that promote growth and development in your children. They also send home additional activities you can do with your children that coordinate with the classroom activities. They do art almost every day. I know that my child creates the art because he comes home messy and his artwork was very obviously done by a 2 year old. They love to have you see what they do! There is a private viewing room where you can sit and watch your child’s classroom if you like.
As the parent of an «at risk» child, I also benefitted from home visits and education, assistance with behavioral interventions and so much more! As my son prepares to transition to the public school system, I am crying big crocodile tears knowing that we will soon have to say goodbye to the wonderful people who have taken him so far in such a short amount of time. However, they are still there, supporting us, completing needed assessments, communicating with the school to make sure my son’s needs and known and will be met, and will continue to be there.

Alexas PLAYC has been the best decision that I have made for myself and my children. As the first preschool setting for my children, the first couple of weeks was truly a challenge, but the staff not only helped my children through it, they helped me. The way the staff nurture and care for the children was so comforting and the fact that parents are encouraged to stick around via the observation room is AMAZING, I don’t think things get more transparent about care than that!
Another thing on my checklist for schools was the food provided, the snacks provided are healthy and sometimes the children get to be involved in the preparation. I absolutely love that. The curriculum that the teachers provide is very well thought out and fun, so fun that many times my kids have requested to stay until the end of the day.
Another great thing that Alexas provides is the community involvement, I have joined in on beach clean up, they had the neighborhood firemen come by, trick or treating at the nearby Radys building… I couldn’t have dreamt a better place for my children.
As a bonus for me I get to see these wonderful people everyday at the start of my day and see my children be happy to be there.

Alexa’s PlayC Team:
Like all amazing things have to end, today is our son’s last day in this life changing program. I can remember like it was yesterday calling a million times to question Jen about all the details I could come up with about why Alexa’s PlayC was not good enough for Francisco. Little did I know back then, that this was going to be the best thing that was ever going to happen to us.
September 4, 2012 was the day my son’s future for ever changed. I remember walking into your school trying to look confident and happy when in reality I was scared out of my mind, holding my newly diagnosed ASD nonverbal son in my hand, wondering if I was doing the right thing. Well three wonderful years later I have to do exactly the same thing but now I am no longer scared or holding the hand of a nonverbal ASD child, instead I am holding the hand of fully verbal child who has not just friends but actual best friends. A child that tells me exactly what he did that day and with who. A child that understands and expresses his feelings as well as the feelings other people may have about him and his actions. A child that is ready for a mainstream kindergarden. The list can go on and on because thanks to your hard work and devotion I am confident Francisco will succeed at what ever life throws at him since you have giving him the skills to overcome anything. You have for ever changed his future, and for that I am speechless, I can not begin to express my gratitude. You all gave me my child back, that loving, caring, smart kid that was hiding just waiting to be found, and you found him.
To all the teachers, therapist and psychologist that have been part of our journey thank you, thank you for dedicating your life to kids like my son and truly making a huge difference in their future.
They say you are very lucky if you win the lottery once in a life time and become a millionaire, well we did not win the lottery instead our son was able to be part of Alexa’s PlayC family for three life changing years and to us that is even better.
So today we have to say so long to wonderful friends, because to us that is what you are, you held our hand in our darkest hour and helped us see the light. You always had a smile and a caring word no matter how bad our day was. You always made us feel that everything was going to be fine and you were right.
Thank You
Karla Maldonado

My son was able to return here, and we are as pleased as ever. The teachers really care for the kids and are super patient. My son is so happy here, and so are we.

This is hands down the best preschool I have found!
Both of my children have attended Alexa’s PLAYC, and my youngest will be «graduating» this summer. My son graduated last year and is thriving in his school.
We absolutely love Alexa’s, the staff, the teachers, the facility: everything is beyond any parent could hope for. The children coming out of this program are ready for Kindergarten.
My children’s social skills are fantastic, they even know how to cope very well!
The care for each kid is fantastic, the door is always open to parents for any concern… and these people will tell you if they have a concern (which is not always the case in other programs). My husband and I always say that Alexa’s ALWAYS puts the best interest of the child first.
If your child is typically developing or if he/​she is on the autism spectrum does not matter: he/​she will benefit from preschool here, and you as a parent will not have to worry about them when you are working!
I love this place and will miss it.

Both my sons have attended Alexa’s Playc. One son is on the Spectrum and one son is a typical child. Mrs. Sally was very involved in helping my child learn to use the PECS system, giving him his first voice. Mrs. Chelsea gave my other son support in learning how to channel his typical little boy energies… I believe today he is a sensitive, caring boy ~ due to having exposure to all types of children. I would recommend Alexa’s Playc to any family of typical child or child at risk of being on the spectrum. Dr. Reinehr was very genuine and sincere when diagnosing and explaining my sons strengths and challenges.

First, let me clear up a big misconception… Alexa’s is NOT a school for autistic children. From my perspective it is a preschool that also has a part-​time immersion program for children on the autism spectrum. I can’t speak for the spectrum side, but I will say that my «typically developing child» attends full time and we are so happy to have found this school.
For a mom who was soooo worried about leaving her child all day, I was so happy to see the love and care and special attention that my son’s teachers gave him every day. The student to teacher ratio is something you will likely not find anywhere else, it is very low, maybe due to the special immersion program they have. The typically developing children benefit greatly from many things in this program: teachers with an early childhood education or special ed or child psychology degree, a well-​thought out, developmentally appropriate curriculum, and lots of interesting activities and play.
There are two playgrounds and the outside area is huge. I only wish it had more shade, it gets hot out there in the summer. There is tons of equipment and toys that gets rotated around for the kids to play with and they have a big open space to play.
I can’t say enough about how warm and friendly and loving the teachers are, and feel total trust leaving my child in their care during the day.

We’ve been with Alexa’s Playc for 2 wonderful years, and were very sad to leave. We only left because we moved and needed someplace closer to home. My boys are «typical» kids who were there full-​time. We have had nothing but good experiences. We had the great pleasure of having Fara and Sarah for almost all of our time there, and many other great teachers too. The student/​teacher ratio is crazy good, and the teachers are real professional educators, not babysitters. The schedule always keep kids engaged and active, learning, and well-​supervised. I especially appreciated the updates on their milestones, achievements and challenges. Also, something I had taken for granted, but after touring other preschools, I see that Alexa’s Playc is exceedingly clean and organized. I feel like we’re losing part of our family by leaving!

Today is the last day of my child’s Preschool experience at Alex’s PLAYC. He is off to Kindergarten. This is almost always an exciting yet challenging time for many parents and kids. However if you are a parent with a child with ASD you really are feeling anxious about all the upcoming changes. Well let me just tell you that for the last 2 years we felt very fortunate and happy to be a part of Alex’s PLAYC. Finally a school where my child was accepted, respected and treated with the outmost love and understanding. The Staff at Alex’s PLAYC have an inclusive setting where children with ASD can benefit from interacting and learning with typical peers while having experienced and trained professionals working with your child. My son was redirected appropriately when he exhibited poor behaviors until extinction. The staff works as a team to use data and best teaching practices to help all children in their care. As a parent and educator myself I can only hope I continue to find quality places where the entire staff truly individualizes the needs of each kid and cares for ALL children in such a remarkable way. I highly recommend Alex’s PLAYC for being an outstanding Preschool for all children to learn and get along. You have a very special place in our hearts.