Birch Family Services Celebrates the Grand Opening of Riverdale Early Childhood Center
Birch Family Services announces the grand opening of its Riverdale Early Childhood Center: a vibrant community preschool program dedicated to serving children with special needs. Located at 590 West 235th Street in the Bronx, the center provides specialized early intervention services that foster learning, growth, and development during children’s most formative years.
On Friday, January 31, 2025, Birch invited parents and families, staff, community members, and elected representatives to the school for a grand opening ceremony for guided tours of the new facility and opportunities to meet the dedicated educators and therapists who will serve the Riverdale community. Among the attendees was Council Member Eric Dinowitz, who represents the school’s district. A former special education teacher, Council Member Dinowitz shared some words with attendees about the importance of special education in communities like Riverdale.
“I am so thrilled to be here today,” said Council Member Eric Dinowitz. “Thank you to Birch for the incredible work you do day in and day out.”
“This center represents a significant step forward in expanding access to essential preschool services for children with special needs,” said Matt Sturiale, President & CEO of Birch Family Services. “We are proud to bring this comprehensive program to the Riverdale community, offering children the individualized support they need to reach their fullest potential and build strong partnerships with families to foster lifelong learning.”
The Riverdale Early Childhood Center offers a comprehensive program integrating each child’s Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) with a curriculum aligned to NYS Common Core Standards. The program emphasizes differentiated instruction, ensuring that each child’s learning abilities, styles, and preferences are nurtured in a supportive, technology-rich, and literacy-focused environment.
Additional features include:
- Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Counseling/Play Therapy
- Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to enhance school climate, promote positive social skills, and improve academic outcomes
- Music Therapy and nutritional instructional supports
- Robust parent involvement initiatives, including training and counseling to foster ongoing learning at home
- The center serves preschoolers with special needs through classrooms of varying sizes, tailored to meet the developmental needs of children ages 2.9 to 5
The opening of the Riverdale Early Childhood Center marks another milestone in Birch Family Services’ nearly 50-year commitment to empowering individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. With over 30 locations across New York City, Birch Family Services serves more than 2,000 individuals and their families annually.