Growing Through Language, Play and Discovery
Young children learn by exploring, playing, asking questions, making friends, and discovering what they can do. At Rochester School for the Deaf’s Early Childhood Center (ECC), they do all of that in a welcoming, language-rich environment created especially for Deaf and hard of hearing children.
Our Early Childhood programs serve children from birth through preschool, giving them early access to American Sign Language (ASL) and English, experienced educators and specialists, and a community where communication and connection happen naturally throughout the day. In this supportive and nurturing space, our students thrive as they build language skills, establish friendships, and explore the surrounding world.
We understand that these early years are important for the whole family, so we welcome parents and caregivers to the RSD journey too. Whether your family is just beginning to learn ASL or already has strong connections to the Deaf community, we are there for you and provide support to ensure the very best for your child and family.
Welcome to RSD’s Early Childhood Center! These early years are filled with remarkable growth as children build language, explore their world, form relationships, and discover just how much they can do.
At the ECC, we believe young children learn best when they have full access to communication, meaningful opportunities to play and explore, and a community where they are known and valued. Our experienced team creates a language-rich, bilingual ASL-English environment where learning happens throughout the day—in the classroom, on the playground, in conversations with friends, and through the many experiences children share together.
Families are an important part of our ECC community, and we value the knowledge, experiences, and perspectives each family brings. We look forward to getting to know you and your child and partnering with you throughout these important early years.
Karen Fisher-Malley
K-5 Principal and Director of Early Childhood Education
Language Everywhere
Young children learn and build language through everyday interactions—with their teachers, their families, and especially with one another. At the ECC, that natural, incidental learning happens alongside intentional instruction using high-quality, developmentally appropriate curriculum. This includes time with a dedicated early childhood ASL teacher. Children have direct access to communication throughout the day in a bilingual ASL-English environment filled with conversation, stories, questions, curiosity, laughter, and play.
Learning Through Play
Play is serious learning for young children. Our classrooms are designed for children to explore, create, pretend, build, move, experiment, and make choices. Teachers use children’s interests and experiences to create meaningful learning opportunities in language and literacy, math, science, social-emotional development, physical development, and the arts.
A Community of Friends and Role Models
There is something special about being surrounded by other children and adults who communicate with you directly. ECC students learn alongside other Deaf and hard of hearing children and build relationships with Deaf and hearing adults throughout the RSD community. From the very beginning, children have opportunities to develop friendships, confidence, independence, and a strong sense of belonging.
Small Classes and Individualized Support
Small class sizes allow our teachers to really know each child—their personality, interests, strengths, and needs. Teachers work closely with the educational team to provide individualized support while keeping children actively engaged with their classmates and classroom community.
Families Learn and Grow, Too
Families are an essential part of the ECC. We build strong partnerships with parents and caregivers, sharing what children are experiencing at school and working together to support each child’s learning, language, and development. Being part of the ECC also means having opportunities, from ASL classes to family activities and events where you can meet other families in our community. Families also have access to ASL classes, family activities, resources, and opportunities to connect with other families and members of the Deaf community.
Room to Explore
Learning doesn’t just happen inside the classroom. Children participate in art, physical education, library and other special activities, along with field trips (for preschoolers) and plenty of opportunities to get outdoors. Our natural playground and outdoor classroom give children space to create, investigate, climb, play together, and experience the world around them.
The Family Instructional Resource and Service Team (FIRST) supports RSD’s youngest children—and the families who love them.
For babies and young toddlers, much of that learning begins right at home. RSD educators and specialists work with families to support early communication, language development, play, and everyday interactions. Families can learn ASL, ask questions, meet Deaf and hard of hearing adults, and connect with other families raising Deaf and hard of hearing children at our weekly playgroup.
As children grow, they begin spending time at the Early Childhood Center. Children approximately 18 months to age 3 participate in a part-time center-based program where they can learn and play alongside other children, build language and social skills, and become comfortable in a classroom community.
It’s a gentle bridge from a child’s first learning experiences at home to the bigger world of preschool.
Preschool at RSD is busy, playful, social, and full of discovery.
Children learn through hands-on experiences, classroom investigations, stories, ASL rhymes, art, imaginative play, and outdoor exploration, all while cultivating important relationships with teachers and friends. Our play-based curriculum supports early literacy and language, math, science, physical development, creativity, independence, and social-emotional growth. For 4- and 5-year-olds, it also aligns with NYS preschool learning standards as we set the foundation for kindergarten.
Preschoolers also begin exploring more of the RSD campus through special classes and activities, helping them become confident members of the larger school community. Field trips extend that learning into the wider community, giving children new places to explore, experiences to share, and opportunities to connect classroom learning with the world around them.
The goal isn’t to rush children toward kindergarten. It’s to give them the language, curiosity, confidence, relationships, and foundational skills that make them excited and ready for what comes next.
When a young child joins RSD, their family becomes part of our community, too.
Parents and caregivers come to us with different experiences. Some already know ASL. Others may never have met a Deaf person before. Some arrive with lots of questions, while others are eager to discover all that RSD and the Deaf community have to offer. We want families to feel welcome asking questions, learning alongside their child, and getting to know the people and community around them. Family support may include:
You don’t need to know everything before you arrive. We’re here to learn and grow together.
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Our classrooms support the whole child, with teachers and specialists working together throughout the day to encourage language, learning, movement, independence, and social-emotional growth. When a child’s educational plan calls for additional individualized services, those supports are provided in partnership with families and with consideration for their goals and preferences. Services may include:
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RSD uses Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) schoolwide to foster a positive, supportive learning environment. Early childhood students learn CAT: Care, Accept, Try. Through these shared expectations, students develop responsibility, build strong relationships, and contribute to a school community where everyone can learn and thrive.
Not at all. Many families begin learning ASL after their child is born or identified as Deaf or hard of hearing. We’ll help you get started and provide opportunities for family members to continue building their ASL skills.
Yes. RSD is a bilingual ASL-English school where children receive direct instruction in ASL while developing English literacy through reading and writing. For families pursuing spoken English, we also support spoken English development alongside ASL and written English.
No. RSD’s programs are provided at no cost to families. There is no tuition for eligible children to participate in FIRST or Preschool. Transportation is also provided at no cost to families (see below). For students attending full days, lunch is provided. While families are encouraged to provide nutritious snacks, we can also provide assistance with snacks if needed.
Please note that students must be determined eligible by the state to attend RSD. We’re happy to help families navigate the process.
It depends on your child’s age, but expect plenty of movement, conversation, stories, play, exploration, and time with friends. Preschool days may include morning meetings, classroom investigations, ASL and English literacy activities, art, outdoor play, meals and snacks, rest as appropriate, and special classes and activities.
Absolutely. That’s one of the wonderful things about RSD. Children interact naturally with Deaf and hard of hearing peers and adults throughout their school experience, giving them opportunities to communicate directly, build friendships, see role models, and grow up as part of a vibrant community.
Yes. Transportation arrangements depend on a child’s age and program. For children age 3 and older, transportation is coordinated through the child’s home school district. Transportation for younger children is available through a private transportation company, which we coordinate for you. Our team can help families understand the process and what applies to their child.
Yes—and we hope you will. Seeing the ECC in action is one of the best ways to understand what makes it special. Come see the classrooms, meet our team, and experience the energy of children learning and playing together.
