The New Jersey Speech-Hearing-Language Association's 2013 Program of the Year

Ivy Nursery is New Jersey’s only full day inclusive early intervention program for toddlers with hearing loss and the most intensive in the state. In Ivy Nursery, children with and without hearing loss learn together in a specially created environment to enhance auditory learning. Designed to take full advantage of the developing brain, Ivy Nursery provides opportunities for stimulating all the senses.

The experiential learning curriculum is based on Washington State’s new Early Learning Plan curriculum for ages 18 months-3 years which focuses on language, communication and literacy skills, physical health, well-being and motor development, social and emotional development, cognition in logic and reasoning, creative arts, math and science, family, community and culture. Families attend an education series to build their parenting confidence and reinforce their child’s learning.

There are eight full day spaces for children with hearing loss and eight full day spaces for typical hearing children. Additional toddlers with hearing loss participate in Ivy Nursery for shorter group development classes of 1 ½ hours twice a week if their parents prefer.  Before and after care is available daily. Ivy Nursery graduates with typical hearing will transition ready to learn into preschool with an understanding and acceptance of “differently-abled” children.