Special Services

Class Descriptions	Related Services	Enrichment Center	Join Our Email List Email:
Summer Programs	Evaluations

In an atmosphere of warmth and enthusiasm, the Special Services Department offers a variety of programs, a caring and experienced staff, and a nurturing environment for children 3-6 years of age. The programs best serve children who have delays in communication, motor and/or social development. Every child is encouraged to explore, experiment, create, and progress at a rate comfortable for her/him. We foster the development of positive self-esteem and help promote independence using hands-on activities. There is special emphasis on development of language, fine and gross motor skills, social interaction and self-help abilities. The “Toward Tomorrow Pre-School Program” is licensed by the New York State Department of Education.

JCC of Mid-Westchester Nursery School
Toward Tomorrow Program 

MOTOR & SENSORY THERAPY CENTER Announcing the opening of our newly constructed center for OT and PT. This large, bright, child friendly room includes custom designed suspended equipment, area for large motor development, climbing ladder and fine motor activity centers. Expanded therapy sessions and hours now available. To schedule therapy, please contact our office at 472-3300, x228.

JCC of Mid-Westchester Nursery School Toward Tomorrow Program
School Term:  Tuesday, September 4, 2012 - Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Class Descriptions

Special Services Toward Tomorrow Programs – Tuition Based

Learning Circle
2.9 -5 years
This developmental preschool program assists each child to learn through hands on experience which emphasizes growth in cognitive, language, play and social skills to build each child’s self-esteem. This class may be combined with any morning program to provide a full day experience (see Learning Circle Combo). Class size limited to 8 students.

Learning Circle Combo
Extends the program by one hour to provide a supervised socialization and play skills based lunchtime. Specially trained staff supervise this lunch program and parent must send in a kosher style lunch.

Lunch Program
One hour lunch program with trained staff focuses on increased socialization and play skills. Parent must provide a kosher style lunch.

State Funded
2.9-4.9 year olds
Class size of 8, 10, 12 and integrated (SCIS) available with child placement based on review of child’s evaluations, Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and meeting with child and parent(s). Program is chartered with the Education Department of New York State and follows the State’s pre-school educational guidelines. Halfday classes and awaiting permission to open full-day class of 8 children and SCIS class.

Evaluations
Parents with concerns about their child’s development (ages 2 1/2 to 4) request an evaluation through their school district. Our team of therapists can conduct complete evaluations. We provide you and your school district with written reports and will attend CPSE scheduled meetings that will determine what services, if any, your child is eligible to receive.

Related Services
Children in Toward Tomorrow State Funded Program, private Learning Circle and those who need IEP mandated therapies (including children enrolled in the JCC Nursery School and other nursery schools) are able to receive speech therapy, occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT) and/or counseling services (individual or social skills groups.) OT and/or PT are provided in our new state of the art sensory gym with suspended equipment and fine motor activity centers.

Special Education Itinerant Teacher (SEIT)
We are a licensed SEIT provider and have a special education teacher who can work with your child in his/her nursery school as mandated by your child’s IEP or on a private pay basis.

Summer Programs
Private and state funded half-day (8:45-11:15am/12 noon or 11:15am/12 noon-2:30pm) options are available for children 2 1/2-6 years of age. Integrated programs (ages 4-12 years) available through Camp Gadol with specially trained staff.

Special Needs Enrichment Programs
The JCC offers enrichment programs such as social skills, Tai Chi, gymnastics, theater, art, music, sports and more that are appropriate for children with ADHD, speech/language delays, learning disabilities, Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder or any social and emotional problems. Sibling work-shops are also available.  Details

Matan at the JCC - The Gift of Jewish Learning for Every Child 
MATAN is an organization that was created to ensure that all Jewish children, including those with special learning needs, can be participating members of Jewish educational programs. With Jewish educators, special educators, and educational consultants and administrators, MATAN offers self-contained religious school classes meeting once a week, in addition to family Jewish holiday celebrations and programs.  For more information please call Deena Spindler, Director of Community Programs, at deena@matankids.org.  Please visit MATAN’s website at: www.matankids.org.  MATAN classes can be scheduled back to back with Sunday/Funday.

Jewish Holiday Celebrations for Special Needs Children and their Families (MATAN)
MATAN offers Jewish holiday celebrations in a structured and supervised low-key environment, which takes into account children’s special needs. These programs are both educational and fun for the whole family.  If you’re interested in receiving information about dates, times, etc., email deena@matankids.org.   Don’t miss our “Kick Off the New Jewish Year Fair” in September and our annual Chanukah Program in December. For more information on Matan programs for special needs children see Special Needs Enrichment

Staff

About the Directors

Nancy Kaplan, RN, Director
Nancy joined the Toward Tomorrow staff in 1993. She has over 30 years of experience working with children, including nursing, camp health director and health research. In addition she has taught pediatric nursing as well as health courses for teachers at the bachelor and master college level. She is a member of a regional task force on people with disabilities. Nancy has a B.S. from University of Bridgeport and an M.A. from New York University.

Martin Stone, SEIT Director
Having worked as a classroom teacher, SEIT, and administrator, Marty brings a full range of experience to our program.