The District’s prekindergarten students are being provided with a unique educational opportunity in the newly refurbished South Haven Early Childhood Center, located on Montauk Highway in Brookhaven Hamlet. The Early Childhood Center officially opened on Sept. 3 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, attended by faculty, administrators, board of education trustees and members of the community.

“We are all very excited about the learning to come, under the leadership of Principal Brian Ginty and each of our teacher leaders, who in tandem with New Interdisciplinary School educators, will provide a creative, engaging and supportive learning environment that enables success for our youngest learners,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Giani said. “We believe that South Haven Early Childhood Center will become another gem for the South Country learning community.”

The District’s prekindergarten program now hosts 74 full-day placements, an increase from 20 full-day placements during the 2018-19 school year. Also offered in response to community requests is transportation and extended care for half-day program participants. 

The South Haven Early Childhood Center facility not only holds ample classroom space, but is now equipped with the latest technology, an indoor gym for fine motor and gross motor development and an inclusion playground with turf surfacing.  

After Dr. Giani, Principal Brian Ginty, Board of Education President E. Anne Hayes, Board Vice President Jack Nix and Board trustees Lisa Di Santo and Cameron Trent cut the ribbon to symbolize the center’s opening, prekindergarten students attended an orientation with their parents. The students met their teachers for the first time and toured their classrooms and the building. Some of the students even made new friends before starting the school year on Sept. 4.