Preschool services
NASET Award
Block Institute was selected as a 2020-2024 NASET School of Excellence. NASET is the National Association of Special Education Teachers. This distinction has been bestowed upon select qualified licensed private special education schools. Selection as a NASET School of Excellence is the highest level of recognition a private special education school can achieve through our professional association. This honor is presented to private special education schools that meet rigorous professional criteria and have demonstrated truly exceptional dedication, commitment and achievement in the field of special education.
Preschool Services Description
Block Institute Preschool offers highly individualized educational and therapeutic services to children ages 3 to 5 with special needs. Our classrooms are rich in learning opportunities and materials are carefully chosen to address their developmental levels and needs. Group activities are emphasized and high teacher-student relationships ensure that every child participates. Our preschool promotes social-emotional, cognitive, communication/language, as well as fine and gross motor development. Full day services are available on a 12-month basis. Children receive therapeutic services, in speech and language therapy; occupational therapy; physical therapy, and counseling from a team of licensed professionals. Our curriculum meets New York State Learning Standards. We offer state of the art services for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Our school utilizes specialized interventions under the supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analysis Specialist in which they use behavior support programs, applied behavior analysis, augmentative communication, and sensory integration. Our exclusive sensory gym, indoor gymnasium, outdoor playground, and indoor heated pool allow our students to learn and adapt through active learning opportunities. Parents and families are supported through workshops on various topics to assist them in understanding their child’s needs, the educational program designed for their child, and the educational process. Breakfast and lunch are offered to children as well.
Pals with Paws
The PWPs Program, integrates specially– trained dogs into the Block Experience. Working with a certified dog handler, the dogs are used in educational and therapeutic capacities with children in classroom settings and one-on-one. All of the Pals with Paws dogs assist in enhancing the lives of our students and are dedicated to improving the quality of life for people.
Yo Re Mi
Through Yo Re Mi’s collaborative approach, children’s ideas and interests are woven with Block Institute’s educational goals into expertly crafted original songs and movement sequences. The combination of music, yoga, and mindfulness into one fun class encourages engagement from all children.
Sensory Gym
With a spacious and well-equipped gym dedicated to optimizing occupational and physical therapies received by our students, Related Service Providers at Block Institute are able to collaborate in providing evidence-based care. With use of our swings, squeeze machines, and variety of other intervention tools, Related Service Providers are able to work with students and bring out the best in their abilities.
Aquatics
Trained Related Service Providers and staff work with our students in our Aquatic Center which is equipped with a heated, fully accessible swimming pool. Our Aquatics program provides a unique therapeutic experience for those in our care.
Recreational Specialist
Our recreational specialist utilizes our indoor gymnasium as well as our outdoor space to engage students in fun physical activities! Students are given the opportunity to work on a variety of gross motor goals while learning to follow directions and socialize with their peers.
Music Specialist
Our music specialist uses a variety of musical instruments and techniques to help teach students through the joy of music. She also works in small groups with our students introducing them to the keyboard using colors, shapes, and letters. Students gain knowledge of basic rhythm and musical notes through this program.
Family Engagement
Family engagement is a collaborative and strengths-based process through which early childhood professionals, families, and children build positive and goal-oriented relationships. It is a shared responsibility of families and staff at all levels that requires mutual respect for the roles and strengths each has to offer. It requires making a commitment to creating and sustaining an ongoing partnership that supports family well-being. It also honors and supports the parent-child relationships that are central to a child’s healthy development, school readiness, and well-being. Early care and education teachers and providers play a central role in partnering with families on their children’s learning and development. Positive parenting and strong family engagement is central-- not supplemental-- to promoting children’s healthy development and wellness.
Parent Counseling and Training
Is a related service provided at Block Institute. Parent counseling and training means assisting parents in understanding the special needs of their child; providing parents with information about child development; and helping parents to acquire the necessary skills that will allow them to support the implementation of their child’s IEP. Examples include, but are not limited to:
- providing parents with information about cognitive and speech and language development;
- counseling the parents about how to respond at home to a student’s behavior in a manner consistent with the in-school behavior management program;
- training parents to use the same mode of communication (e.g., sign language) the child would be using at school; and
- training on how to operate assistive technology devices at home.