STARS Program
About the Karol Musher STARS Early Childhood Intervention Program
The Karol Musher STARS Early Childhood Intervention Program at Bertha Alyce Early Childhood School (BAS) provides a comprehensive, team-based approach to support the growth and development of preschoolers with disabilities and developmental delays. This innovative program is designed to nurture each child’s unique potential by offering individualized instruction tailored to their specific needs, alongside dedicated support for families. Our goal is to help every child reach their fullest potential, fostering an environment where children can grow, learn, and thrive.
We embrace children of all abilities, carefully assessing the “fit” of our program for each child who applies. Our team works collaboratively with families and professionals to ensure that every child’s needs are met with empathy, respect, and expert guidance. Some of the diagnoses and conditions our program serves include Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), Apraxia and Childhood Apraxia of Speech, Receptive-Expressive Language Disorder, Noncategorical Developmental Delay, Epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy, Hypotonia, and Speech Delay.
The STARS program is deeply committed to providing a high-quality education that aligns with best practices in early childhood special education. Our curriculum is designed to be developmentally appropriate, following the guidelines set forth by the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children (DEC) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). We ensure that every child’s learning experience is not only individualized but also enriching and empowering, allowing them to develop crucial skills for lifelong success.
Through this holistic, family-centered approach, the STARS program fosters a nurturing environment where children with special needs can experience meaningful growth, build self-confidence, and engage in an educational journey that supports their unique abilities.
Bertha Alyce Early Childhood School
5601 South Braeswood, Houston, TX 77096
713.551.7200
Hours & Schedule
STARS is in session June–May and class is held daily, Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM-2:45 PM. Extended day child care and summer-only enrollments are not available.
Learn More About STARS
Each child in the STARS program receives personalized therapy each week, including one hour of speech and language therapy (2 x 30 minutes), half-hour of music therapy, and one hour of occupational therapy (2 x 30 minutes). Therapies are delivered in a blended model across therapy rooms, the OT gym, and the classroom. This approach helps children apply their goals in different settings while promoting collaboration among the child’s therapy team. Teachers are equipped to integrate speech, occupational, and music therapy techniques throughout the school day, ensuring interventions are frequent and naturally embedded into the child’s routine.
The STARS classroom offers a unique, play-based curriculum that seamlessly integrates each child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals into the daily routines and activities of the preschool day. This approach ensures that learning is both functional and contextualized, providing a foundation for meaningful, real-world skill development. By partnering closely with families, each child’s team continuously adapts their educational plan to reflect their evolving growth and needs, ensuring personalized support and success.
What truly sets the STARS program apart is its commitment to fostering self-regulation and social-emotional growth. Through a focus on sensory regulation and social-emotional learning, STARS provides tailored strategies to help children thrive. For those who benefit from discrete trial training, this method is thoughtfully integrated as part of a holistic, individualized approach to education, ensuring that every child’s unique learning needs are met.
The STARS IEPs are comprehensive and revised annually to address key developmental domains, including cognitive, language, social-emotional skills, self-help abilities, and fine and gross motor development. Additionally, the preschool experience is enriched with specialized activities such as gym, music, Shabbat and Jewish Holiday celebrations, and swimming during the summer months, further promoting well-rounded growth.
A cornerstone of the STARS program is inclusion, an evidence-based practice that stands out in the Houston area. Rather than simply placing children in mainstream classrooms with minimal support, STARS emphasizes active, meaningful participation in inclusive settings. Children are not only placed in general education environments but are fully supported by STARS staff to practice skills and develop abilities alongside their peers. This approach allows for the generalization of skills into natural, everyday contexts, empowering children to thrive in a variety of settings.
The uniqueness of the STARS program is evident in its holistic, inclusive philosophy, which has consistently prepared graduates for success in both traditional and special education kindergarten settings. Families transitioning to kindergarten receive detailed support, helping them make well-informed decisions about their child’s next educational steps. The STARS program stands as one of the few in Houston fully committed to the inclusion and individualized support of children in early childhood education, making it a truly exceptional and forward-thinking learning environment.
