Alternatives For Children

What Alternatives For Children does

Alternatives For Children is a not-for-profit private school founded in 1988 and headquartered at 14 Research Way, East Setauket, New York. It operates five physical sites across Long Island (Aquebogue, East Setauket, Clinton Avenue/Comsewogue, Dix Hills, and Southampton) delivering integrated educational and therapeutic programs for children from infancy through preschool, with a particular focus on children with disabilities and developmental delays alongside their typically developing peers. Core service lines include Early Intervention (birth to age 3), Preschool Special Education (ages 3-5), Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK), and Child Day Care. Programs are staffed by dual-certified special education/early childhood teachers, licensed therapists, Board Certified Behavior Analysts, and full-time on-site nurses, with a supporting therapy stack that covers speech, occupational, physical, behavioral, art, music, vision, and AAC services, plus psychological and social work support, IEP coordination, parent training, SEIT services, and door-to-school transportation. The technology layer is conventional educational technology (Smart Boards, iPads, computer rooms) paired with research-based curricula such as The Creative Curriculum and Second Step Early Learning.

The business model is a hybrid of government-contract-funded and fee-for-service revenue streams. Early Intervention and Preschool Special Education are delivered at no out-of-pocket cost to families and funded through NY State Department of Health contracts administered by Nassau and Suffolk Counties, plus school district CPSE/CSE arrangements. UPK is delivered through contracted partnerships with named school districts (Middle Country Central, Comsewogue, Riverhead, Half Hollow Hills) and is free to families under NY State and federal funding. Child Day Care is fee-based with location-specific pricing across full-day, half-day, and 6-week summer sessions. Net revenue (not disclosed) is supplemented by corporate sponsorships, donations, grants, and annual fundraising events such as the Golf Outing and Cars & Coffee. The organization reports having served over 20,000 children since 1988 and currently serves more than 700 children annually, with 251-500 employees across five sites.

The go-to-market motion is community-led and referral-driven: families are routed in through county health department Early Intervention channels, school district CPSE/CSE committees, pediatricians, and direct outreach via the website, community events, and the ParentSquare communication platform. Switching costs are high on the family side because the integrated education-plus-therapy model is difficult to replicate across multiple providers. Competitive advantages are anchored in multi-agency regulatory approvals (NY State Education, NY State Health, OCFS, Nassau and Suffolk County DOH) and a specialized clinical-pediatric talent base, rather than in proprietary technology or AI capability.

Name

Alternatives For Children

Legal name

Alternatives For Children

Website

https://alternativesforchildren.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Alternatives For Children is a not-for-profit private school founded in 1988 that delivers integrated educational and therapeutic programs for children from infancy through preschool, including children with disabilities, across five Long Island locations serving over 700 children annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Early Childhood Special Education Services

NAICS

Child Care Services (62441), Child and Youth Services (624110), Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Services (61), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Needs Early Intervention & Preschool Programs (EDAKAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Therapeutic & Developmental Preschools (Specialized Support) (EDACABAO), Inclusive Early Intervention & Transition-to-Preschool Services (EDACAFAM), Preschool Programs within Private K–12 Schools (EDACABAM), Transition & School-Readiness Support for Special Needs Children (HSAAAIAO), Developmental Therapy / Early Childhood Special Instruction (EDACAFAG)

Keywords

• Early intervention services
• Preschool special education
• Child day care
• Therapeutic services
• Special needs education

Headquarters

HQ city

East Setauket

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Early Intervention Program: No-cost services to families funded through NY State Department of Health contracts with Nassau and Suffolk Counties for Early Intervention (birth to age 3) services.
2. Preschool Special Education: Services funded through school district CPSE arrangements for children with IEPs aged 3-5.
3. Universal Pre-K (UPK): Free NY State and federally funded prekindergarten program offered to families.
4. Child Day Care: Fee-for-service day care programs with location-specific pricing, including full-day, half-day, and 6-week summer sessions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Alternatives For Children is a not-for-profit private school delivering integrated educational and therapeutic programs for children of all abilities from infancy through preschool across Long Island. Core programs include Early Intervention (birth to age 3), Preschool Special Education (ages 3-5), Universal Pre-Kindergarten, Child Day Care, and multidisciplinary evaluations, supported by an in-house suite of therapies including speech, occupational, physical, behavioral, music, art, and vision services.

Product overview

Alternatives For Children is a not-for-profit private school offering a comprehensive suite of educational and therapeutic programs for children of all abilities from infancy through preschool across Long Island. The organization operates as a multi-service platform combining Early Intervention, Preschool Special Education, Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK), Child Day Care, and Evaluations as core programs. These are supported by integrated therapeutic services including Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Behavioral Services, Vision Services, and AAC. Additional support services include Psychological and Social Work Services, Student Counseling, Parent Training, Family Groups, IEP Coordination, Educational Technology, Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT) services, and Transportation. All programs are delivered by dual-certified teachers, licensed therapists, and full-time on-site nurses, integrating educational and therapeutic services to support IFSP and IEP goals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Intervention Program Provides evaluations and a broad spectrum of educational, therapeutic, and support services for infants and toddlers from birth to age 3, including speech, occupational, and physical therapy, delivered at no out-of-pocket cost to eligible families.
• Preschool Special Education Approved New York State Preschool Special Education provider serving Nassau and Suffolk Counties, offering nurturing inclusive programs with integrated and self-contained classrooms supporting children with disabilities and developmental delays through play-based learning.
• Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK) New York State initiative preparing four-year-olds for kindergarten through comprehensive age-appropriate learning experiences taught by dually certified special education and early childhood teachers, delivered at no cost to families.
• Child Day Care Centers Full-day and half-day child day care programs for preschoolers (3 to 5 years) with NY State Dually Certified Special Education Teachers, art and music classes, educational technology activities, and full-time nursing staff.
• Preschool Evaluations Comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluations at no out-of-pocket cost to families to identify children's strengths and needs, conducted by licensed and certified professionals for preschool special education referral.
• Therapies and Services Integrated therapeutic services including Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Behavioral Services, Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Vision Services, AAC, Psychological and Social Work Services, Student Counseling, and Transportation for IEP-eligible children.
• Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT) Special education support provided in children's natural learning environments such as nursery schools, daycare programs, or UPK classrooms, working directly with children on IEP goals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20,000 children transformed since 1988
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Middle Country Central School DistrictcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUPK program partnership where Alternatives For Children East Setauket serves as contracted Universal Pre-K collaborator for the district.
• Comsewogue School DistrictcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUPK program partnership where Alternatives For Children East Setauket serves as contracted Universal Pre-K collaborator for the district.
• Riverhead School DistrictcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUPK program partnership where Alternatives For Children Aquebogue serves as contracted Universal Pre-K collaborator for the district.
• Half Hollow Hills School DistrictcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUPK program partnership where Alternatives For Children Dix Hills serves as contracted Universal Pre-K collaborator for the district.
• Competition Subaru of SmithtownmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerHost venue for Cars & Coffee 2026 charity car show event on August 9, 2026. Partnership with Buzzetta Family and Competition Automotive Group.
• Buzzetta Family / Competition Automotive GroupmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual charity event partnership for Cars & Coffee fundraising events supporting Alternatives For Children programs.
• Nassau County Department of HealthcoreOthersContracted Early Intervention service provider under the Division of Services for Children with Special Needs.
• Suffolk County Department of HealthcoreOthersContracted Early Intervention service provider under the Division of Services for Children with Special Needs.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• TheraCare: Provider of pediatric Early Intervention, preschool, and therapeutic services across NY/NJ. Directly comparable in delivering speech, OT, and PT services through EI and CPSE contracts.
• QSAC (Quality Services for the Autism Community): NYC non-profit providing education, therapeutic, and family support services primarily for children and adults with autism. Comparable therapeutic and educational service mix with NYC-metro overlap.
• ADAPT Community Network (formerly AHRC NYC): NYC-based non-profit delivering early intervention, preschool, and therapeutic services for children and adults with disabilities. Comparable integrated service model and government-funded operations.
• Yeled v'Yalda Early Childhood Center: Brooklyn/Long Island-based not-for-profit providing Early Intervention, preschool special education, and integrated therapeutic services for children with developmental delays. Directly comparable in mission, service mix, and government-funded model on the same NYC-metro geography.
• HeartShare Human Services of NYC: Large NYC-based non-profit providing early childhood, special education, and disability services. Comparable in delivering integrated education and therapy under government contracts, with broader program offerings.
• Birch Family Services: NYC non-profit providing early intervention, preschool special education, and related services for children with developmental delays. Closely aligned service mix and funding model.
• Gersh Academy: Long Island-based organization operating special education schools and services for children with autism and developmental disabilities. Direct competitor in preschool special education and integrated therapeutic services on Long Island.

Broad incumbents

• Easterseals: National non-profit network providing disability services including early intervention, special education, and therapy across many U.S. geographies. Larger and broader in scope than AFC but overlapping in service offerings.
• UCP (United Cerebral Palsy): National non-profit federation providing education, early intervention, and therapy for children and adults with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Comparable mission and integrated service model, but operates at a much larger national scale.

Regional players

• The Center for Discovery: New York State non-profit providing special education, residential, and therapeutic services for children and adults with complex disabilities. Comparable integrated education-therapy model but operates primarily in Sullivan County rather than Long Island.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/alts4children
• Facebookfacebook.com/AlternativesForChildren

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles22 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Alternatives For Children