What Is The Kids at Work Gentle Separation
- Two days a week, two hours each day 9:15am-11:15am! Four Day option also available.
- Ages 20 mos – 3 years with two classes Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday
- Fall, Winter-Spring, and Summer semester options!
- 3.5:1 student/teacher ratio. Max of 10 children.
- Adults stay in the physical space for up to 6 weeks, and then gradually are removed to a separate, blind classroom. (Not a drop-off program)
- Full parent communication suite through our partners at StoryPark, beginning of year home (or zoom) visits, and parent teacher conferences.
Sample Day
- Sensory Art & Garden Time! Children work on decision-making skills and mastery of fine and gross motor centers. Teacher-led small group and 1:1 activities are included. Time on our covered, childproofed terrace/garden is also offered.
- Art Provocation! An age-appropriate and sensory-based art experience is included for those children that are interested. Others may read books or observe the activity. Sitting still is never “required” for our nearly and early twos, but coming together as a community is encouraged!
- Meeting Time Welcome ritual, the schedule for the day including hands-on visual aids, and our theme is discussed as well.
- Snack! Kids at Work provides snack for all children consisting of WASA multi grain crackers and fruit such as banana or apple. We make note of all allergies; we are nut and seed free. Children’s hands are washed before and after each snack.
- Free Play! Toys, manipulatives, mini-world objects, dress up and play kitchen. Children develop conflict resolution skills via our teachers’ simple and repetitive language and prompts.
- Music! Lots of movement, live guitar, and instruments are included. Children develop executive skills and come together as a community through well-known as well as new activities.
- Wrap up and goodbye song! Children always participate in a quiet lullaby or bubbles, and wrap up before our goodbye and happy reunion with grown-ups!
How does separation work? In the Kids at Work Gentle Separation children separate at their own individual rate, usually within 6 weeks of starting the program. For instance, during the second week we may separate 1-2 children, and then 1-2 more the third week, and so on. When separation occurs is a team decision between teachers and family. Once separation occurs we rarely bring adults back into the room. Our separation philosophy is discussed in depth at your introductory parent meeting during the registration process! We do not offer drop off and adults need to stay in the facility even after separation occurs.
Registration Information
Dates Gentle Separation Classes are NOT Held 2022-2024
Thursday, November 24th, 2022 – Thanksgiving Day
Monday-Thursday, December 26th-29th, 2022
Monday, May 29th, 2023 – Memorial Day
Monday and Tuesday July 3rd and 4th, 2023 – 4th of July
Monday-Thursday, September 4-7th, 2023 – Labor Day week
Thursday, November 23, 2023 – Thanksgiving Day
Monday-Monday, December 25, 2023 – Jan 1, 2024
Monday, May 27, 2024 – Memorial Day
*If students ever need to miss a class due to the observance of a religious holiday on the actual holiday, you’ll receive 2 regular drop-in classes as make-ups. Otherwise there are no make-ups, refunds or transfers for missed days of gentle separation*
*When Gentle Separation is closed, KAW may still be OPEN! Feel free to attend a drop-in class! Check our schedule!*
Why is Gentle Separation running on the Jewish high holy days and other religious holidays? Due to the fact that many of these holidays occur at the beginning of our time with the children, taking them as “off days” for the entire group can impede on the children’s overall ability to acclimate to the program. Since our program only runs twice per week, we really need to run it every day that we can if we are to do the work we set out to do with the community. We mean no disrespect to our Jewish families and families of other faiths!
Winter-Spring 2023 Semester-Based Option
(PROGRAM FULL)
Jan 16, 2023 – June 8, 2023
Monday/Wednesday 9:15-11:15am; Tuesday/Thursday 9:15am-11:15am (4 day option available, please enquire.) No class Mon, May 29. Our Winter-Spring 2023 program is full. We leave the information up for parents interested in what the semester option looks like for the future.
Tuition – Mon/Wed Group $4,510, Tues/Thurs Group – $4,620 Fall students get first refusal on Winter-Spring enrollment. Our program is designed to be a year-long program. Deadline to enroll for Fall, 2022 families: Nov 15, 2022
Summer 2023 Semester-Based Option
*Please note that while teachers do their best to acclimate and separate ALL children during the summer months, it is only guaranteed for families that are present for the entirety of the summer. Families that take frequent breaks where their child cannot attend may not achieve full separation.*
June 12, 2023 – Sept 1, 2023
During the summer, families have the option of enrolling for 11 weeks, 10 weeks or 9 weeks, with 1-2 weeks “off” and unpaid. Your child’s week(s) “off” must be planned ahead of time, and dates must be expressed to Kids at Work by May 15, 2023. Wed, July 5 and Thurs, July 6 are TBD. We will run the group only if enough children are ready to attend (min 3 children), and charge a la carte for these days.
Tuition (does not include July 3, 4, 5 and 6) – Both groups – 11 weeks – $2,200 (discounted); 10 weeks – $2,100; 9 weeks $1890
Monday/Wednesday 9:15-11:15am; Tuesday/Thursday 9:15-11:15am (4 day option available, please enquire.) No class Mon and Tues July 3 -4, 2023.
2023-2024 Full Academic Year Option
Sept 11, 2023 – June 6, 2024 *Full year option is discounted $10 per class; the Kids at Work Gentle Separation is designed to be a full year program.*
Monday/Wednesday 9:15-11:15am; Tuesday/Thursday 9:15-11:15am (4 day option available, please enquire.) No class Thurs, Nov 23; Mon-Mon, Dec 25 – Jan 1; Mon, May 27
Tuition – Mon/Wed Group $7,030, Tues/Thurs Group – $7,125
Fall 2023 Semester-Based Option
Sept 11, 2023 – Jan 11, 2024 *Full year option is discounted $10 per class; the Kids at Work Gentle Separation is designed to be a full year program.*
Monday/Wednesday 9:15-11:15am; Tuesday/Thursday 9:15-11:15am (4 day option available, please enquire.) No class Thurs, Nov 23; Mon-Mon, Dec 25 – Jan 1. Fall 2023 students get first refusal on Winter-Spring enrollment. Our program is designed to be a year-long program. Deadline to enroll for Fall, 2022 families: Nov 15, 2022
Tuition – Both groups $3465
Paying Deposits & Tuition
Fall & Winter-Spring: $1200 deposit required to hold your child’s spot (can be made with no fee via debit/credit card), no-interest monthly payment options are available (one time $75 set up fee). Once you register, a payment link will be sent to you.
For remaining balance payments, families can pay via: Check (no fee), ACH (no fee), Debit/Credit Card (3.5% processing fee). 30 days before program begins full balance is due at enrollment.
Summer: Full balance due at time of enrollment. Families can pay via: Check (no fee), ACH (no fee), Debit/Credit Card (3.5% processing fee). Payment links and information will be sent at time of enrollment.
Registration Timeline
- Gentle Separation Open House on Monday, March 13th RESERVE YOUR SPOT HERE
- Interested families should email us, at info@kidsatworknyc.com, or call 212-488-8800.
- Parent meeting is scheduled or call with Kids at Work management to ensure it’s a good fit for your family.
- Admissions offer is made.
- Parent is sent a payment and registration link to pay the $1200 deposit.
- Full onboarding process is started including health check software downloads, enrollment agreement, and welcome questionnaire. We will also schedule a private “home visit” with your lead teacher as we get closer to the class start date.