Pearl Nelson
Child Development Center

pnc@arc-gateway.org

916 East Fairfield Drive
Pensacola, FL 32503
850-434-7755

Pearl Nelson Child Development Center

The Pearl Nelson Center provides speech, occupational and physical therapy by experienced pediatric therapists as well as developmental instruction by infant toddler developmental specialists.

 

Children thrive in a fun, safe child-centered environment that allows them to learn through play. Their senses are stimulated by jumping on air mattresses, using indoor or outdoor playground equipment and interacting with their peers during group activities. Your child will have the opportunity to learn, grow and achieve great things with the help of these pediatric experts.

 

More than 30 percent of the children we serve require fewer services or none at all when they leave the Pearl Nelson Child Development Center to enter grade school.

What We Do

  • Provide early intervention services to infants and children
    up to age three who are at risk of developmental delays
  • Offer therapies from infancy through adolescence
  • Help families transition from developmental instruction
    to public school services
  • Offer speech, occupational and physical therapy and
    school-based services
  • Provide family activities and festivals
  • Serve as a liaison between parents and doctors and between parents and community agencies

Developmental Instruction

Developmental Instruction is provided by Infant Toddler Development Specialists. ITDS are certified under the Early Steps program, which is administered under Children’s Medical Services. ITDS have at least a year of verified experience with infants and toddlers; and they must possess a bachelor’s in psychology, early education,
special education, or a related health field.

 

The ITDS staff works closely with parents and involves them in activities that promote important skill development. These activities can easily be applied to routine care such as feeding, bathing and bedtime to provide additional opportunities for learning and growth. For more information, please e-mail pnc@arc-gateway.org.

Pediatric Therapy Services

Children improve their motor skills, sensory, self-help, speech and language development; and parents learn ways to support this development at home. Physical, occupational and speech therapies must be prescribed by the child’s primary care provider.