Homeschooling, unschooling, or not in school yet? Morning group ABA now open·El Cerrito, CA
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Morning group ABA · Mon–Fri, 9am–12pm · El Cerrito, CA

A supported pre-K alternative, every weekday morning

The joy and social structure of a preschool morning, with the tailored support of ABA. Two separate groups meeting at the same time, with the same support model: one for ages 2 to 5, and one for ages 6 to 10 for kids who need different, more individualized support to better scaffold their learning.

Starting preschool can feel like a massive leap — especially if your child thrives with extra individual support and predictable routines. Our morning group combines the joy and social structure of a preschool morning with the tailored support of ABA, in small groups with diverse peers at our El Cerrito playspace.

Who it’s for

We run two separate morning groups:

  • Ages 2 to 5 — a supported pre-K alternative, with the social structure of a preschool morning.
  • Ages 6 to 10 — for children who need different, more individualized support to better scaffold their learning.

Both groups meet at the same time, Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm, with the same support model.

Families usually come to us when their child is:

  • Homeschooled or unschooled — and would benefit from regular peers and group routines.
  • Not in school yet — and a typical preschool classroom feels like too big a leap.
  • In school, but not learning — not making progress with academic or adaptive skills, and needs a smaller, more supported setting.

A typical morning

Every morning runs Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 12:00pm, on the same predictable routine. Each child has their own individualized visual schedule. At every transition, your child checks their schedule and moves completed tasks to the completed column. This small ritual creates predictability and independence, and places a sense of control back into their hands.

  1. 9:00 — Arrival and play. Your child checks their schedule and settles in with child-led play, sensory exploration, and movement.
  2. Around 9:30 — Circle time. Through songs and other interactive, hands-on activities, we incorporate learning goals into a group format. The focus is on social and developmentally important skills — matching, imitating gross-motor movements, and interacting with peers — rather than academics. Children join in their own way — singing, listening, moving, or watching from a comfortable spot.
  3. The rest of the morning moves through snack time, table time, arts and crafts, and more play. Table time focuses on functional skills and pre-academic learning-readiness skills; any academics are learning units individualized to each child, based on their interests. The order fits the group, and it stays the same day to day so children know what comes next. The group for ages 6 to 10 follows the same structure, with activities and goals matched to their age.

Handwashing and toileting are built into the routine, and sensory and calming breaks are available whenever a child needs one. Safety and boundary rules are part of every activity.

Toileting, built into every morning

Many of the children we support learn to use the toilet later than their peers, and for many families it’s more complex than a sticker chart. Toileting is part of the morning group routine: regular, predictable bathroom visits, visual supports for each step, and handwashing afterward. When toileting is one of your child’s goals, we build it into their individual plan, go at their pace, and coach you on what works so the same routine carries over at home.

Support that fades as confidence grows

Children start with 1:1 support and plenty of positive reinforcement. As they master new skills, support is intentionally faded to 1:2 and then 1:3 to build real independence. We fade at your child’s pace, guided by the data your clinical team collects — and we coach you along the way, so progress carries over at home.

What your child practices

  • Social skills — joining play, taking turns, sharing, and communicating needs with other kids.
  • Self-regulation — using sensory and calming breaks, and moving through transitions smoothly.
  • Group routines — following a visual schedule, circle time, handwashing and toileting, safety and boundary rules, and group snack.

These are the skills children use in a classroom, during a playdate, or out in the community.

Insurance and referrals

Morning group is group ABA therapy, so it’s typically covered when your plan covers ABA.

  • Already have an ABA referral? You usually won’t need a new one — even if you’re switching from another provider. After a clinical evaluation, we work with your insurance directly to add group ABA.
  • New to ABA? A formal diagnosis isn’t always required if your child meets your plan’s clinical criteria. CCHP families will need a referral from their primary care provider.
  • Plans we work with: most major insurance plans, including MediCal and Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP), plus the Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB), Alameda Alliance, and Partnership HealthPlan (PHC). A sliding fee scale is available for families without coverage.

Morning group questions

How is the morning group different from your Social Skills Groups?

The morning group is a daily, structured program: Monday to Friday, 9am to 12pm, with a full morning routine — circle time, play, movement, handwashing and toileting, and group snack. Each child starts with 1:1 support that fades to 1:2 and 1:3 as they gain independence. It suits children who are homeschooled or unschooled, not in school yet, or in school but not making progress with academic or adaptive skills.

Our Social Skills Groups are a facilitated play space for neurodivergent kids — autistic, ADHD, and gifted/2e — who are ready to focus on friendship: joining play, shared interests, and working through disagreements in the moment.

Not sure which fits? Tell us about your child and we'll recommend one — or both, over time.

We homeschool or unschool. Can the morning group fit alongside that?

Yes. Many homeschooled and unschooled kids have fewer chances to practice group routines and play with a steady set of peers. The morning group gives them that, five mornings a week, in a child-led setting that respects how they learn.

Is the morning group a preschool?

No — it's group ABA therapy, led by our clinical team. We borrow the best parts of a preschool morning (peers, routines, circle time, snack) so children practice the skills that help them thrive in any group, with far more individual support than a classroom can offer.

My child is older than 5. Is this right for them?

It can be. Alongside the group for ages 2 to 5, we run a separate group for ages 6 to 10, at the same time and with the same support model, for kids who need different, more individualized support to better scaffold their learning — for example, homeschooled or unschooled kids, or kids who are in school but not making progress with academic or adaptive skills. We'll talk it through on a 15-minute call.

My child isn't toilet trained yet. Can they still join?

Yes. Many children in the group are still learning, and that's expected. Toileting is part of every morning: regular bathroom visits, visual supports for each step, and handwashing afterward. When it's one of your child's goals, we build it into their individual plan, go at their pace, and coach you so the routine carries over at home.

How does support go from 1:1 to 1:2 and 1:3?

Every child starts with a dedicated clinician (1:1) and plenty of positive reinforcement. As your child masters skills — following the visual schedule, joining circle, handling transitions — support is intentionally faded to one clinician for two children (1:2), then three (1:3). We fade at your child's pace, based on the data, never on a fixed timeline.

Do we need a diagnosis or a new referral?

Already have an ABA referral? You usually won't need a new one — even if you're switching from another provider. After a clinical evaluation, we work with your insurance directly to add group ABA.

New to ABA? A formal diagnosis isn't always required if your child meets your plan's clinical criteria. Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP) families will need a referral from their primary care provider (PCP).

Will insurance cover the morning group?

Usually, when your plan covers ABA. We accept most major insurance plans and are vendorized with the Regional Center of the East Bay (RCEB), Contra Costa Health Plan (CCHP), Alameda Alliance, and Partnership HealthPlan (PHC). We are also MediCal approved. For families without coverage, we offer a sliding fee scale. See insurance & billing for details.

Ask about a morning group spot

A short form and a 15-minute call is all it takes to see if it's a fit. We respond within 2 business days.

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