HARBOR ACADEMY at CFD
SAFE. CONNECTED. CURIOUS. GROWING.
More Support. Still Preschool.
A Developmental Micro-Preschool for Ages 3–6
Harbor Academy is a small, developmental preschool created for children who benefit from more individualized support than a traditional preschool environment can provide, but who do not require continuous 1:1 treatment.
Our approach is rooted in DIR®/Floortime, child development, sensory processing, and the understanding that children learn best when they feel safe, connected, and understood.
Rather than asking children to fit into a traditional classroom, we thoughtfully create an environment that supports how each child learns, communicates, plays, and develops.
The Harbor Difference
Small, Supportive Classrooms
Low student-to-educator ratios allow us to understand each child's individual strengths, needs, interests, and developmental profile.
DIR®/Floortime-Informed
Relationships and meaningful interactions are woven throughout the school day to support communication, engagement, flexible thinking, problem-solving, and social-emotional development.
Sensory-Friendly Learning
Movement, sensory experiences, regulation supports, and opportunities for active exploration are integrated naturally throughout the day.
Learning Through Play
Early academics are incorporated into imaginative play, hands-on projects, stories, movement, art, science, and real-world experiences.
Connection Before Compliance
We look beyond behavior to understand what a child may be communicating. Co-regulation, emotional safety, and trusted relationships create the foundation for learning.
Whole-Child School Readiness
We support more than letters and numbers. Children build communication, independence, confidence, executive functioning, motor skills, friendships, resilience, and a genuine curiosity about the world.
Who May Thrive at Harbor?
Harbor Academy may be a wonderful fit for children ages 3–6 with autism, sensory processing differences, communication differences, developmental differences, or children who simply need a smaller and more individualized preschool environment.
Harbor Academy at CFD is designed for children who can participate in a small-group educational environment. We recognize, however, that every child has different support needs.
For children who require continuous 1:1 support to safely and successfully participate throughout the day, families may instead explore our DIR®/Floortime Day Program, which provides a more individualized and therapeutically supported experience.
Together, our programs allow us to offer a continuum of developmental support—helping families identify the environment that best matches their child's current needs while remaining grounded in the same relationship-based, developmental philosophy.
Tuition
Developmental Preschool
$2,950 per month
Tuition includes the core Harbor Academy school day, developmental programming, sensory and movement experiences, small-group learning, and family communication.
Extended Hours
+$750 per month
Families who need a longer day may add our extended-hours option. Extended programming maintains the Harbor philosophy through play, movement, sensory experiences, social opportunities, and relaxed afternoon activities.
Preschool + Extended Hours: $3,700/month
Harbor Academy is a private-pay educational program. Tuition is not dependent upon insurance coverage.
A Different Beginning to School
Preschool is often a child's first experience of what it means to be a learner.
We want that experience to tell them:
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You are safe here.
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You are understood here.
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Your ideas matter here.
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You can do hard things with support.
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Learning can be joyful.
Because children don't need to earn safety before they can grow.
They need safety in order to grow.
Now Accepting Enrollment Inquiries
Interested in learning whether Harbor Academy may be the right fit for your child?
Submit an enrollment inquiry to start the conversation.
HARBOR ACADEMY at CFD
A Developmental Micro-Preschool
SAFE. CONNECTED. CURIOUS. GROWING.
Our application process is designed to ensure thoughtful alignment — not to judge or exclude.
We review applications to confirm that:
• Your child’s needs match our therapeutic model
• Our program structure aligns with your goals
• We can provide meaningful support
The Pool Is Part of Our Classroom
Swimming is intentionally incorporated into the Harbor experience, creating opportunities to support regulation, body awareness, motor development, confidence, social connection, and—most importantly—joy.
Affiliated with Five Star Swim School in Oakland, NJ
Individualized Therapy Options Available
Including but not limited to: Feeding Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Aquatic Therapy, and more!
OON Insurance Coverage required.