I have no problem admitting that I’m a huge fan (and addict) of Facebook. I often post my status, and upload pictures. Yes, I admit it, I absolutely love checking in daily (ok, multiple times a day). While there are a fair share of annoying posts out there, and some days it feels like there are more links and quotes than actual updates, the site has become a source of connection, reunions and even breaking news… all very important and welcome distractions throughout my day.

This past Sunday, there were countless Mother’s Day-related posts. The pictures of pregnant friends or first time moms, took me back to my own first Mother’s Day. The expressions of affection by mothers of young children describing how motherhood has changed their lives was something I related to throughout the day.

I loved seeing the pictures of breakfasts in bed, fancy brunches and handmade cards with heartfelt sentiments (and misspellings) from the little ones. It felt good to know that so many women were being spoiled and adored that day. It was a treat to see mothers of old friends whom I haven’t seen in decades. The pictures capturing generations of mothers and children in families were priceless. It’s amazing how, on Mother’s Day, everyone seems to age so gracefully on Facebook.

I loved reading posts by men I know who were far more sentimental and emotional online than in person, especially when it comes to acknowledging the most important women in their lives. I found their public declarations of love to be romantic.

What got to me throughout the day were the posts by those who have lost their moms, all too early in life. I respected the fact that these grown children wanted us all to know how very much their moms are still missed, appreciated and loved. I hope that the day held many moments of vivid and happy memories for them. It also made me once again realize the importance of expressing love now, in any way you choose, as opposed to waiting. My heart ached when I thought of the women I know who are desperate to experience motherhood and are trying to overcome the various obstacles in their way. The day certainly could not be an easy one for them.  I prayed for them and resolved, once again, to never take this miraculous blessing for granted.

In a way, Facebook has taken the place of greeting cards. It allows you to express your feelings and personalize your sentiments with photos and then shout it from your laptop for the Facebook world to read. It might not be as personal, but in it’s own way, I find the public statements of love to be heartwarming.

My kids are way too young to have their own accounts and my own mother is still holding out on joining the FB Revolution. So, on Mother’s Day, I took the old fashioned route of telling them and showing them what it means to have them in my life.
If they were on FB, my status would’ve read:

To my beautiful, selfless, outgoing, hysterical and loving mother: I’m honored to be lucky enough to call you my mom. You’ve taught me what unconditional love is, how to express it and you inspire me to be the best mother I can be. I would be lost without you.

To my amazing little girls:  thank you for allowing me the privilege of experiencing motherhood, the greatest gift of my life. Your generous hearts and spirits amaze me daily and I can’t imagine the world without you in it. I wish that one day, you are also blessed to experience motherhood for yourselves.

Thank you Facebook for connecting me every day with the trivial, the sweet, the important and the fun. On Mothers Day, you offered us all yet another forum for the expression of love and gratitude for the mothers in our lives.

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Prior to becoming a stay at home mom, Mina was an HR Recruiter for years. Now her time is spent happily juggling the demands of two young daughters while trying to expose them to the endless adventures the city has to offer.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog contributor’s. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Writers may have conflicts of interest, and their opinions are their own.

***ENTER CODE MB-BBE2013 AT CHECKOUT TO GET 15% OFF ANY TICKET***

Our friends at A Child Grows in Brooklyn are hosting their fabulous baby expo, full of amazing parenting resources, gear and learning opportunities.

Be sure to join them for the 2nd Annual Brooklyn Baby Expo – June 2, 2013, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the International School of Brooklyn(477 Court Street) in Carroll Gardens.

The event is for expectant and new parents (of children up to age 3) and will be a day of fun and education, where you can interact with other parents, exhibitors and experts.

Bring your partner, a friend or the whole family and enjoy lunch in our Fairway Café, play in our movement room and get comfortable in our nursing lounge!

Attendees can learn about and shop for everything from gear, clothing and furniture, to child care services and organic baby food.

Hands-on activities include testing baby carriers, strollers, car seats, participating in demos, and learning how to make baby food. Parents can attend seminars about preparing for birth and post-natal care, navigating the new-parent world in Brooklyn, raising a good sleeper, and more.

Everyone will be entered to win highly coveted raffle prizes throughout the day, individually valued between $50-$850. Giveaways include strollers, high chairs, car seats, carriers, kid classes, tickets, gift certificates and more.

VIP ticket holders will receive a gift bag hand made by Hiho Batik, which will include a BebaSling Lite by Joovy (retail value $99), and many other full-sized samples and premium gifts from sponsors – a total value of over $250.

Premium ticket holders will receive a gift bag filled with fabulous samples from our sponsors, values at over $150.

Find more info at http://www.achildgrows.com/expo

Tickets on sale now at http://brooklynbabyexpo2013.eventbrite.com/

***ENTER CODE MB-BBE2013 AT CHECKOUT TO GET 15% OFF ANY TICKET***

We had a fabulous time at the 4th annual Moms’ Ultimate Night Out – The Mommybites Summit 2013!

Held at the iconic New Yorker Hotel, we sold out the day before with 400 registered moms, had over 80 vendors, delicious food, wine, an incredible keynote, prizes and fun. We had dozens of bloggers and media attend to rave reviews. In fact, we’ve been getting feedback that this was our best event yet.

We want to share all the post-Summit buzz with you. Check out what bloggers have been writing about the night:

• Marino Bambinos – “I definitely think that the Mommybites Summit provided a memorable moms’ night out, with treats, wine, tons of information and shopping. Mommybites continues to be a valuable resource for mothers/expecting mothers…”
• Tastefully Childish – “It was an amazing night out with many more fabulous sponsors/ vendors and great prizes won by many during a raffle. Can’t wait to go back next year!”
• Raising Three Savvy Ladies – “…the room was filled with moms enjoying a fun night out and mingling with brands and shopping too.”
• New York Baby Mind – “On May 1st I attended one of the best summits ever!!!! Mommy bites!”
• Serena Norr – “The Ultimate Night Out Night was a wonderful way to learn more about what is out there and connect with other parents in a supportive, engaging and fun environment.”

We also got some great photos of our vendors, guests and all the action, thanks to Jenny Sherouse. Take a peek at how FABULOUS you all look here.

And in our Mommybites photo station, Classic Kids Photography captured some fun moments.

We had moms, moms-to-be, dads and grandparents on hand – it was an amazing opportunity to connect with other parents, enjoy a night out, shop and learn how to un-clutter your life!

It was a fantastic event and we already can’t wait to see you at Jingle, our Ultimate Holiday Bash, in December.

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Meet the Creators with Gary Osborne, Child Style Expert & Founder of Oliver & Adelaide, Exquisitely American-Made for Children

Children’s products are especially inspiring to me when I have I personally met the designer or artist who has hand crafted each piece. I appreciate the value and love that they inject into each stitch in the clothes or through hand embroidering a face on a doll. As parents, we know that everything ultimately ends up in your child’s mouth. So why not know who made it and where it was made? This propelled me into the journey of stepping into the studios of these very talented folks who make some of the best baby items out there and to let parents know who they are.

Episode #1 – Children’s Clothing Designer based in Brooklyn, New York – Kallio

Check out Oliver & Adelaide’s top pick from Kallio: the Meadow Dress Set.

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Gary Osborne, founder and creative director of Oliver & Adelaide is a leading online purveyor of personalized luxury American-made clothing, toys, furnishings & decor for babies and toddlers. The shop features over 100 hand-crafted American-made baby and toddler gifts perfect for the new mom looking for the unique Baby Shower Registry. In addition, Oliver & Adelaide assembles the most exquisite luxury Baby Gift Packages that cannot be found anywhere else. Soon after he and his partner had their two children, Gary became an art educator specializing in childhood development. Now, his children, Oliver & Adelaide, are his inspiration for giving other parents the gift of beautifying their baby’s world with the only the best. Previously, Gary worked for more than a decade as a fashion designer in New York City.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog contributor’s. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Writers may have conflicts of interest, and their opinions are their own.

If you’ve ever been told to listen to your mother, now you have the perfect opportunity. The national reading series phenomenon “Listen To Your Mother” comes to New York City on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 12 at the Peter Norton Symphony Space.

Showcasing moving, socially relevant and humorous stories about a range of modern mothering experiences, “Listen To Your Mother” is a unique event taking place in 24 cities across the United States on or around Mother’s Day.

The series features local established writer/performers taking the stage with local first time writer/performers as they share poignant personal essays in front of live audiences; the NYC show combines the likes of Stacy Morrison, Editor-in-chief of BlogHer, Inc., Broadway and TV actress and author Amy Wilson, popular playwright of “Rated P for Parenthood” Sandy Rustin and other professionals with first-time readers Barb Patrick (sharing a moving Newtown, CT. story), and summer day camp owner, Sasha Schreiner, who speaks poignantly about her daughter’s dyslexia. This combination of storytellers is what makes “Listen To Your Mother” so very special.

Listen To Your Mother NYC will take place on Mother’s Day, Sunday, 5/12 at 5pm at Peter Norton Symphony Space (2537 Broadway at 95th Street). Tickets are $25 (advance), $30 (at the door) and can be purchased in advance online.

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The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog contributor’s. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Writers may have conflicts of interest, and their opinions are their own.

Traditional meets contemporary Italian cuisine at Fabbrica restaurant and bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Chef, Simone Bonelli, pairs his love for traditional Italian food with his passion for cooking and turns out contemporary cuisine that is worthy of Roman deities.

The name, Fabbrica, means “factory” in Italian and pays tribute to Williamsburg’s history of being an active manufacturing area. To complement this theme, the restaurant’s main dining space is vast and open with lots of wrought iron, mimicking scaffolding that outlines the open kitchen and bar.  There is also a mural spanning an entire wall, created by acclaimed Brooklyn artist, Olalekan Jeyifous, depicting the Williamsburg Bridge and Domino sugar factory. (Some of the largest companies started in Williamsburg including Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Astral Oil (later Standard Oil), Brooklyn Flint Glass (later Corning Ware) and the Havemeyer and Elder sugar refinery (later Amstar and Domino).

You can sit at a table to dine or at the large, communal, solid wood table to be at the center of the food preparation experience (as there is a long, open kitchen). Opposite the dining area, on the other side of the U-shaped bar, is a caffé. Here you can stop in for a quick Lavazza espresso or sit and enjoy the view with a coffee and pastry (made in-house) or a gelato.

Chef Simone, formerly at the 3 Michelin-starred Osteria Francescana in Italy moved to NYC in 2008 and earned his own 2 stars from the NY Times while at Perbacco. After that, he worked for Daniel Boulud at Boulud’s Mediterranean restaurant, Boulud Sud, where he had the chance to work with new spices and recipes. Simone uses organic meats, free range poultry and local ingredients, along with imported Italian products, to blend traditional Italian foods with a modern flair.

As I was there for a work function where Chef Simone performed a cooking demonstration to 65 NYC dietitians, I got to sample a few dishes. The Gnocchi ai Funghi was amazing. Perfect, soft, potato gnocchi were counterparts in an arugula pesto with seasonal mushrooms, Asiago, cheese and spicy honey. The famed Crème Brulee di Parmigianino is an excuse, in itself, to visit the restaurant. It is a parmesan cheese crème brulee with a caramelized coating of brown sugar and 20-years aged balsamic vinegar. If you’re wondering, this is served as antipasti, not dessert.

Other entrees include Braciola di Marale – wood fired Berkshire pork, chopped prunes, brussel sprouts, port wine; Rigatoni Integrali – whole wheat rigatoni, homemade sausage, shitake mushrooms, swiss chard, spring garlic, Parmigianino Regiano; or Branzino – grilled whole, roasted tomatoes, charred broccoli rabe and black olives. Or try a pizza from the wood-fired brick oven.

If you’re not salivating yet, the Lemon Roll dessert was a refreshing way to end the meal. Watching the large, thin layer of angel food cake, rolled into a log and topped with fresh kiwi and strawberry coulis was an extra treat. They also have a nice wine and cocktail list…including a spritz cocktail and Peroni on draft.

On par with the quality of the food was the service. The staff was exceptionally personable, attentive and helpful. Visit the waterfront in Williamsburg on a bright and sunny day…soak up the ambiance of a new Williamsburg. But one whose roots are still evident. At Fabbrica, you can enjoy modern Italian food, set on a backdrop of Williamsburg’s industrial heritage.

Fabbrica is located at 40 North 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249. Phone: 718-218-7045. Average cost of entrée: $25.00.

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Theresa Gentile MS, RD, CDN is a dietitian at Maimonides Medical Center, adjunct faculty at CUNY Brooklyn College and counsels adults and children using sound science and holistic approaches to eating. Check out her website at www.theresagentilenutrition.com and like her on facebook www.facebook.com/TGNutrition.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog contributor’s. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Writers may have conflicts of interest, and their opinions are their own.

Mother’s Day. The name says it all: “Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring mothers and motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world.”

Although each country has its own traditions, here at Mommybites the Belgian Mother’s Day tradition is one of our favorites: “In Belgium children make little presents at primary school, which they give to their mothers in the early morning of Mother’s Day. Typically, the father will buy croissants and other sweet breads and pastries and bring these to the mother while she is still in bed – the beginning of a day of pampering for the mother.”

Although we may not be able to bring you freshly baked pastries, we have found some great deals and treats just for you.

Let the pampering begin!

Mommy Nearest: Mobile app is available for FREE on both iPhone and Android. The Mommy Nearest mobile app is the most comprehensive “on-the-go” resource for local parenting needs in New York City.

Mind Over Matter: Complimentary private training session for the first 5 Moms who reply & $250 off of a 20-pack of classes for everyone! Whether in your home, office or outdoors, MOM trainers can turn any existing space into your own private gym. info@mindovermatternyc.com.

JAM Paper & Envelope: 20% Off Your Entire Order. Use Coupon Code: mommy at checkout. Offer expires Monday, 5/13/13 at Midnight. Creative Packaging Made Easy. JAM Paper offers a huge selection of Creative Packaging – from colorful paper & envelopes to gift bags, boxes & tissue paper to office supplies.

NY Kids Club: 50% off 3 weeks of Summer Camp at our Tribeca location (88 Leonard St). Camp runs June 3rd – August 30th. Choose 2, 3 or 5 days per week, 9am-12pm or 9am-2:00pm, for any three weeks of your choice. Deal expires May 17th, 2013.

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Depending on where you live and other variables, children with special needs make up a significant percentage of your neighborhood, as anywhere from 10 – 20% of the population of children in the US are classified as special needs of one kind or another.

If your child needs:

• Help keeping up with his/her school work
• Help making  up work due to absenteeism
• Time to rest during the day because of medical reasons
• To have a modified (shortened) school day
• To take medication during school hours
• To see the nurse during the day for any reason
• Special accommodations such as: using graphic organizers, extended time taking all tests, a special location to take a test, enlarged print, a second set of books to keep at home
• Large print text books
• An assistive technology assessment to determine what he/she needs to learn to his/her fullest potential
• A scribe, note taker, outlines handed out of lesson prior to class, a calculator etc.
• Special transportation (a lift bus, a matron on the bus, air-conditioning)
• A barrier-free school
• A special class
• Related services such as: physical therapy, occupational therapy, language/speech therapy, counseling, assistive technology, social work services, *special education services such as resource room services, a consultant teacher or special education teacher support services
• A Behavioral Assessment Evaluation to determine if behavioral interventions are needed
• A hearing device
• A paraprofessional 1:1 during the day – also called an aide
• Any other special request such as adaptive physical education, snacks during the day etc. because of his/her health impairment

Your child may need Special Education through the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) or special accommodations in school through Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (504 plan).

There are LAWS to protect children who are have learning disabilities, health or physical impairments that prevent them from being involved in regular education programs. The  federal laws require all public schools provide a ‘Free, appropriate, public education’ (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) to every student with special needs. The three main laws that you should know about are:

Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) (passed in 1975 and re-authorized every several years – the most recent reauthorization in 2004), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) passed in 1990.

Special Education is a five-step process:

Step 1:
Referral – You, the parent, can refer your child for an evaluation up until the age of 21 or a professional that has concerns about your child can also make a referral for an evaluation.  You must make sure to send a letter requesting a Committee on Special Education meeting (CSE) by certified mail with a return receipt requested. Save the proof of receipt with a copy of the letter. This is very important.

(Making a referral for an evaluation does NOT mean you have to agree to an evaluation.)  Begin a notebook for your child and attach all important documents starting with the receipt for the request of a CSE meeting.

Step 2:
The school needs to obtain a parent’s informed consent before starting any evaluations for a new referral.
Your Child’s Evaluation- A child must be avaluated in all areas of suspected disability. You should as for as comprehensive an evaluation as possible. If you go through the Department of Education, evaluations are free of charge to you. You can also provide the committee with independent evaluations that you have had done on your child. When the evaluations are completed, request to see all evaluation reports prior to these CSE meetings. You have every legal right to see any paper reporting information about your child.

Step 3:
Eligibility – To receive special education, your child must be classified into one of thirteen different classifications listed in the federal law. Most children with a chronic illness are classified ‘Other Health Impaired’ others are classified ‘Traumatic Brain Injury’.

Sometimes a child is given two or more classifications – This is not common. Your child’s services are driven by your child’s needs, not by the classification. This is why the document is called an Individual Education Plan (IEP) – This plan must meet the needs of your child.

Step 4:
IEP Development – Your child’s IEP is a legal working document and is very important. You should be an important member of the Committee and be present at the meeting.
An IEP can be difficult and you should be prepared for it.

Ways to be prepared:

1. Have copies of all the evaluations, observations and reports.
2. Highlight important points to discuss. If there is something that is unclear to you, try to find a professional to explain the reports to you prior to the meeting.
3. Try to learn and become familiar with the language.
4. Bring a teacher, an advocate or someone who knows about your child to the meeting.
5. Listen to their recommendation. You can always tell the committee you want to think about what they have said and review it with another person who knows your child.

Step 5:
Placement/Sites – The federal law states that where a child is placed is decided by what his/her IEP states. Placements must be as close to home as possible. You must be given some choices. Parents can request a class profile (which describes the academic, management, behavioral, and social needs of the children in a class that is recommended). Parents should (and are allowed) to visit the class before agreeing to placement. The Department of Education offers a school and/or class where the student can attend (Placement). Parents should visit the placement before accepting or signing anything. Sometimes children are deferred to ‘non-public approved’ private special education schools because public schools found they couldn’t meet all the needs of the child.

Categories:
Quick-Jump Links  http://nichy.org/disabilities/categories
•    Autism
•    Deaf-blindness
•    Deafness
•    Developmental delay
•    Emotional disturbance
•    Hearing impairment
•    Intellectual disability
•    Multiple disabilities
•    Orthopedic impairment
•    Other health impairment
•    Specific learning disability
•    Speech or language impairment
•    Traumatic brain injury
•    Visual impairment, including blindness

Tips for Parents:

• Know your rights.
• Become informed about how your child’s condition impacts his/her education.
• Your child’s education consists of academic, physical, psycho-social (socialization) and behavioral development.
• Socialization is part of a child’s education.
• Be an active participant in your child’s educational planning.
• If you are not sure about the services that are offered the CSE meeting OR  a 504 meeting, tell them you are not in agreement and want to try to resolve your differences in opinion.
• Call one of the resources listed in this guide and ask to speak to someone on their staff that can help you.

Resources:
•    A Parent’s Guide to Section 504  http://schwablearning.org
•    Individual Education Plan (IEP) http://schwablearning.org
•    National Center for Learning Disabilities  www.LD.org
•    Resources for Children with Special Needs  http://resourcesnyc.org
•    New Alternatives for Children  http://www.nac-inc.org
•    Wright’s Law  http://www.wrights.law
•    Council for Exceptional Children  www.cec.sped.org
•    National Dissementation for Children with Disabilities   www.nichcy.org
•    Advocates for Children  www.advocatesforchilden.org
•    New York State Education Department  www.nysed.gov
•    The Council for Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc.  www.copaa.org
•    The Making Headway Foundation  www.makingheadway.org

Good luck and ask lots of questions!

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Patricia Weiner, MS is presently an educational consultant and advocate for Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) and academic challenges. She works for The Making Headway Foundation, is a private consultant and faculty mentor for graduate students at Bank Street College of Education in New York. Over the past 35 years, she has worked as a special educator, child life specialist, health-education specialist and has been the administrator of several programs. She has presented nationally on education and child life, published articles and chapters in child life text books, and has received several awards for child advocacy for this population of children.
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The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog contributor’s. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Writers may have conflicts of interest, and their opinions are their own.

This past weekend, my daughter and I headed to Theater 3 near Times Square to see Wanda’s Monster The Musical, based on Eileen Spinelli’s 2002 book. With music and lyrics by one of our favorites, Laurie Berkner, the show begins with Wanda’s hip Granny singing some catchy songs that have the audience wiggling excitedly in their seats. The 50-minute production tells the story of a lively 5-year old who’s certain there’s a monster hiding in her closet. With thoughtful advice from her Granny, she gradually overcomes her fear and forms a sweet connection with the shy and friendly monster. The show teaches a lesson in open-mindedness, acceptance and the importance of all kinds of connections and friendships. After the show, there is an opportunity to meet and take pictures with the cast.

Although my almost 8-year-old daughter loved the message of the play and was excited to hear familiar songs like “Monster Boogie”, we both agreed that the show was geared more for kids in in 3-7 age range.

This production is part of Making Books Sing, an amazing nonprofit organization, which promotes literacy and social development through theater and arts-in-education programming. They magically transform children’s books into musicals, and have succeeded once again with Wanda’s Monster. Catch it while you can as it’s only around until May 12th. Your little ones will love it!

THEATER 3
311 W. 43rd St. (@ 8th Ave.)
3rd Fl.
New York, NY

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Prior to becoming a stay at home mom, Mina was an HR Recruiter for years. Now her time is spent happily juggling the demands of two young daughters while trying to expose them to the endless adventures the city has to offer.

The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog contributor’s. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Writers may have conflicts of interest, and their opinions are their own.

For those of you who missed this wonderful teleclass, generously sponsored by NYKids Club and wonderfully presented by NY PEAS (Private Education Advisory Service), here is a link to the taped class and discussion on Kindergarten Admissions and ERBs.

Our presenters wanted us to share some helpful tips with you on navigating the Kindergarten admissions process.

Here are 10 Things To Jumpstart The Private School Admissions Process

• Research as many schools as possible.
• Attend spring tours/open houses as offered. Get ahead of the game.’
• Keep an open mind about all schools.
• Steer away from “Park-bench gossip”.
• Set up a support system with only ‘genuine’ friends and/or an educational consultant you trust!
• Jot down the five important attributes that you value in a school.
• Get organized early by setting up a calendar or an Excel Spreadsheet.
• Think about your application essays during the summer; what would you want a school to know about your child?Make a list of all connections you may have to any school no matter how small.
• Stay cool, calm and positive!

As well, here is a quick overview of ERBs:

WHAT IS THE ERB?

• The ERB is an acronym for Educational Records Bureau.
• In NYC, it is a testing agency for the Independent Schools Admission Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY) since 1966.
• The Education Records Bureau or ERB uses a non-standard version of the WPPSI-IV for their assessment which consists of both Verbal and Non-verbal subtests.
• The actual WPPSI-IV contains 15 subtests. ERB only uses 8 of them: four verbal and four performance (non-verbal) subtests.
• Verbal: Vocabulary, Similarities, Information, and Comprehension
• Performance (non-verbal): Block Design, Matrix Reasoning, Bug Search, and Picture Concepts
• The ERB test score is one of many factors of the admissions decision.

This teleclass was generously sponsored by NY Kids Club. The NY Kids Club Early Enrichment Center offers preschool programs for children 2, 3 and 4 years old. All programs incorporate classroom time for art, music, math, science and literacy activities, and gym time, where children participate in gymnastics and sports classes in our state-of-the-art gymnasium, which features soft play mats, tunnels, a balance beam, uneven and parallel bars, trampoline, and more. Instilling a sense of love for school and learning is at the heart of the NY Kids Club Enrichment Center. Children develop a sense of autonomy, a sense of independence, self-esteem, curiosity and ability to ask questions, and the confidence to generate ideas. Admission for NY Kids Club preschool programs is on a rolling basis, and registration is now being accepted for the three new locations – Tribeca, Park Slope, and Williamsburg – scheduled for opening this summer.  Limited spaces are still available at the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Gramercy Park, Battery Park, and Brooklyn Heights locations. Visit us online at nykidsclub.com.

About Our Presenters

Jennifer attended New York University and received her Master’s degree in Education from Columbia University’s Teacher’s College. She taught second grade and has worked in the admissions office of a prominent New York City private school. She lives in Manhattan with her wonderful family.

Vimmi completed her Undergraduate degree in Business and Economics in India. She has a Masters in Education from New York University. She taught at various private schools in New York City. She has worked as an admissions officer as well as a Director of Admissions at various New York City private schools.

Joelle is an Education Consultant. She holds a Masters Degree in School Counseling and has a dual degree in Regular Education and Teacher of the Handicapped. She was a middle school classroom teacher for children with learning disabilities and chair of her department for over 10 years. She has been consulting with families and schools for over 15 years. Joelle can be reached at  JSS770@aol.com 

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