Children’s Beach House preschool earns top quality rating

For more than 80 years, the Children’s Beach House in Lewes has been quietly helping children with communication disabilities and other special needs gain confidence and independence.  

Founded in 1936 by Lydia Chichester du Pont to serve children with polio, cerebral palsy and mild orthopedic conditions, CBH has expanded in scope to offer a year-round youth development program for children with speech, language or hearing disabilities, and now, a five-star-rated, inclusive preschool. 

The Margaret H. Rollins Child Development Center at CBH recently received the top rating from Delaware Stars. Preschool teacher/Administrator Pam VanSant said the center voluntarily applied for the assessment, which included observation and verification of quality in criteria including curriculum and learning development. 

CBH Vice President of Advancement Patricia Tosi said the preschool was launched a few years ago to help treat children with communication delays as early as possible and enable staff to follow them through high school to provide a full continuum of care.

“We see kids age 7 through 18 in our youth development program, and realized we could make a bigger impact if we started earlier,” Tosi said. “Studies show the earlier you start with intervention, you can reduce the need for assistance later.”

So, part of the CBH building was reconfigured to house classrooms for 3- and 4-year-olds. The preschool serves typically developing children and those with speech and language delays, hearing impairments and mild orthopedic challenges to prepare them for kindergarten.

VanSant said the Cape Henlopen School District speech therapist provides sessions with students, and staff from Little Vikings make assessments for future placements. 

“We provide a language-rich environment and individualized activities for each child,” VanSant said. “There’s a purpose behind every activity.”

To develop fine and gross motor skills in a child who has weak hand muscles, she said, teachers may provide beading or Playdough exercises. Instruction includes a social-emotional piece to help students learn how to handle and respond to frustrations at an early age.

Following preschool, Tosi said, weekend enrichment and summer-camp youth development programs are available for students through age 18 from all over Delaware who have speech, language or hearing disabilities; an individual education program; and financial need. 

“It’s an underserved population,” Tosi said. “No other program works with kids like ours statewide. We help them form meaningful relationships and so they can overcome fear and disabilities in a safe environment with other kids just like them.”

Tosi said children can be referred by teachers, counselors, physicians, parents and clergy. An application process evaluates if a child meets criteria and can be helped through the program.

“The children aren’t severely or physically handicapped, but they can’t communicate effectively, so they become loners through their own actions,” Tosi said. “This leads to them becoming bullied, because they have difficulty responding and making friends.”

Students come one weekend a month during the school year to develop relationships with other kids and adults, and to learn social, emotional and communication skills. Year-round case management is provided to families to identify youth and family strengths, and develop appropriate strategies.

A three-week summer camp program continues instruction in age-appropriate groups. Camp Director Sean Donovan said each week centers around a different theme, such as pirates or Legos, and includes instruction on self-management, self-awareness and how to handle emotions.

Daily activities include swimming, sailing, kayaking, arts and crafts, and healthy cooking, which are often new experiences that help children gain self-confidence.

“Seeing their growth is the most rewarding part of the job,” Donovan said. “We had some kids who wouldn’t even speak in the spring, and now they can use words. It’s very touching. There’s a lot of long days for counselors, but it’s very rewarding when you see those breakthroughs. And we have fun with them.”

Children’s Beach House has an endowment through du Pont, Tosi said, but raises $1.8 million a year to fund programs. One such fundraiser is the annual beach barbecue, set for 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 24. This year’s benefit has live music, an art show and sale, silent auction, best hat contest, open beer and wine bar, and gourmet buffet.

Go to cbhinc.org or call 302-645-9184.