Spinoff-NIS-New Interdisciplinary School Reviews

I am really interested in this preschool as it is the only one that even mentions "floortime" as part of their approach.

I currently live in Nassau but we want to move out east not too far from this school.

If anyone could tell me what is great or not so great about this school, I would greatly appreciate it.

Also, is it really difficult to get a placement there ? Example,...Little Village in Nassau can be challenging to get a placement.

Re: Spinoff-NIS-New Interdisciplinary School Reviews

Is this in the Yaphank area? I'm almost positive that's the school my SIL used. I'll have to ask DH. I know she always raved about the school they were in and was very pleased with their progress. I'll ask her about it and if there's s/t specific you want to know I'm happy to ask her.

Re: Spinoff-NIS-New Interdisciplinary School Reviews

Yes it's in Yaphank. Any info you can give I would greatly appreciate it !

Re: Spinoff-NIS-New Interdisciplinary School Reviews

This school is on my list to tour. I was given some summary notes from my agency if they help:

18:2:1 Integrated 9-11:30 or 12:30-3:00

12:1:1 selfcontained full day
Communication Notebook & daily "what we did today sheet"Computers in all classrooms
1 nurse; fulltime LPN
Music therapy 1x/week in classroom
library/media center 1xweek
adaptive phys ed 2-3xweek (run by teacher certified in both special ed and adaptive phys ed)
sensory room
3 playgrounds; including outdoor sensory area, musical instruments and bike area
"Open space area" used for special events 1x/month for parents (sing-a-longs, art/craft projects, etc.)
parent education & support groups
therapeutic services: OT, PT, Individual speech and Small Group Speech (5 or fewer children in group)
Creative Curriculum: utilizes interest areas to promote developmentally appropriate learning. Within each classroom there is a strong emphasis on early literacy, science, math and technology.
Incredible Years Curriculum: uses puppets, stories and videos to teach children to manage their emotions and behaviors and to make meaningful friendships.

DS' therapist wrote down that there was no ABA at this location

Let me know if there is anything specific you're looking for. I'll throw it into my list of questions when I see the school.

Re: Spinoff-NIS-New Interdisciplinary School Reviews

Thanks so much ! No ABA ? I like it even more :) !

They do list ABA on their website though, as well as smaller sized classes.

Definitely let me know if you get a good vibe from the place, and if you feel they are eager for placements rather than make it a stressful hand picked type situation.

I guess I would also be interested in how collaborative the staff is. If they look like they truly enjoy working there and with each other (low turn over rate).

Re: Spinoff-NIS-New Interdisciplinary School Reviews

We toured last year and the school was amazing. The teachers were engaged and the children were engaged. You should tour- I think you would love it. It's just not the right placement for my DS. I'm looking for an ABA program. AND an added bonus- the facility is top notch.

Re: Spinoff-NIS-New Interdisciplinary School Reviews

My child went there years ago for 2 years in the self contained class. We had a great experience.

Re: Spinoff-NIS-New Interdisciplinary School Reviews

I just toured there this week. There were many things about it that I did like, but overall, I don't think I'll be sending DD there.

First, I felt very overwhelmed by the # of classes that they have there. I really couldn't get a handle on where DD would be placed.

I did like the outdoor play area, and the big open area they have. However, when they told me about the 1x per month interactive activity for parents to join in, I felt it was almost mandatory. She said that if I couldn't come, DH or Grandma, or an aunt, or a neighbor, etc could come. I sort of felt like if there was a time when somebody could not attend that DD would be made to feel like she was left out.

In several of the rooms they showed me, when I walked in, the staff members were talking to each other, about non-classroom topics, and were sort of "clumped" together. Now, I certainly don't expect them to never socialize, and to have to be talking to the kids at every moment (I think that is unrealistic), but I think that when an administrator and a touring parent walk in, they should scatter. And in the one room in particular that I am thinking about, I didn't even get a friendly vibe from the teacher in that room. In fact, I really only got that vibe from ONE of the classrooms. I really didn't get the impression that the staff there were enjoying their jobs all that much.

I asked them if all the therapies were done by licensed PTs/OTs and was told that they use PTAs and OTAs, which I was not crazy about either since DD needs a lot of therapy. And I'm sure the people licensed as assistants are very good, but I just sort of feel that somebody who has the higher degree/training, is more likely to be able to adapt on the fly if something isn't working with my DD. I could be wrong about this, it's just my opinion right now.

I also asked if my DD could be moved to a different class if the one she is initially placed in is not working for her (they were talking about maybe putting her into a 8:1:1 or 6:1:1). I'm afraid that will be too restrictive for her. Right now she is in a class with 10 children, not sure how many aides, but she has a 1:1 so it doesn't really matter to me and so I don't really want her placed in a more restrictive environment. They said it is often difficult to move the kids, especially to move them down to a more restrictive ratio because the classes often fill up. So if they place her in a 10:1 and she can't handle it, she most likely can't move.

She said they fill up fast. There are only 3 spaces left in the class for Sept. in the 8:1 ratio class. Not sure what type of class your DC will need, but if youre thinking about the higher ratios, you need to do it soon.

Re: Spinoff-NIS-New Interdisciplinary School Reviews

Thank you ! I am so grateful for all this info !

Re: Spinoff-NIS-New Interdisciplinary School Reviews

Hi haven't posted in a while...but you can FM me in you want info on a good floortime school...I do have personal experience with NIS as well with regards to floortime.