About Capital District Beginnings

673 Columbia Turnpike | P.O. Box 630 | East Greenbush, NY 12061
Phone (518) 233-0544 | Fax (518) 233-0703
Office Hours: 8 AM - 4 PM | Monday - Friday

History

Capital District Beginnings was founded in 1984 by Dr. Mary Garrett and Dr. Edward Welch. Dr. Garrett was a professor of special education at Russell Sage and Dr. Welch was a professor of special education and the Director of the SUNY Pre-K Program at SUNY Albany. Together, they opened the first Beginnings preschool special education program at the Troy YMCA. In 1991 Beginnings doubled its enrollment by incorporating the former SUNY Pre-K Program and expanding services to a seven county region. Today, Beginnings employs over 200 staff and serves over 800 children and families in a 12 county region. We operate over 40 community-based integrated preschool collaborative classrooms.

Cornerstone Beliefs

The philosophy that drives Beginnings is based on four cornerstone beliefs:

Community Based Services/Partnerships

Parents as Partners

Parents are partners with our staff in the development and execution of their children's plans. The parent/staff
relationship focuses on building trust and mutual understanding.

Collaboration

Collaborating agencies are partners with Beginnings in the development and execution of intervention plans. The inter-agency relationship focuses on building trust and mutual understanding.

Best Practices

Beginnings' role as a model training ground for professionals. Commitment to best practice in early intervention is demonstrated to and emulated by staff therefore resulting in the multiplier effect that favorably affects children and professionals far beyond the immediate enrollment in Beginnings.