School hours vary across sites. Please see our site directory for current school hours. Hours may change over the summer session.

Sample hours by location:

• • Baldwin Milburn: 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM
• • Baldwin Shubert: 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM
• • Lindenhurst: Non-UPK 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM, UPK 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM
• • Middle Island: 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM (UPK: 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM)
• • Laurel: 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM
• • Riverhead: 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM
• • Hampton Bays: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
• • Cutchogue School: Student Hours: 9:00 AM to 2:30 PM (summer: 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM)
• • Middle Country: Student Hours: 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM
• • Patchogue-Medford: 9:45 AM to 2:45 PM
• • William Floyd School
  • ○ Woodhull: Student Hours: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM (summer: 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM)
  • ○ William Floyd Elementary: Student Hours: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
  • ○ Tangier Smith: Student Hours: 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM
  • ○ Hobart: Student Hours: 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM

Students are generally grouped together based on age. In some classrooms, placement is determined by students’ individual strengths and needs, as well as where we believe they will best reach their learning potential.

Yes, many of our sites offer daycare programs, along with before- and aftercare options. We recommend reaching out to the building principal at your site to see what is available.

Some of our smaller, specialized classes use an ABA-based approach to instruction. Across all sites, we provide individualized teaching methods tailored to each child’s unique needs. These approaches may include ABA, the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), TEACCH, and other evidence-based practices.

One-to-one aides are provided based on a child’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP). If a 1:1 aide is specified on a student’s IEP, we will ensure that this support is provided. If we determine that a student already enrolled in a program may require a 1:1 aide, the Committee of Preschool Special Education (CPSE) will convene and make a determination.

Your child’s school day will be full of fun and engaging learning experiences. In most classrooms, we use the Creative Curriculum and design center-time activities and lessons around study-based themes. Students participate in a variety of interactive center-based activities with their peers and enjoy daily gross-motor play outdoors, weather permitting.

Children also take part in daily group lessons, where academic skills are taught through fun, interactive, teacher-led instruction. Many of our sites offer weekly specials, during which specialized teachers lead large-group activities such as music, gym, and sensory integration. A daily schedule will be provided by your child’s classroom teacher to outline the classroom’s daily routine.

Specials vary by site. For example, our Middle Island location features a sensory room where a certified teacher provides instruction to support students in regulating their sensory systems through sensory-based activities. Our Baldwin sites offer gym instruction led by a certified teacher. We encourage you to reach out to the building principal to learn more about the specific specials offered at your child’s site.

Lunches and snacks may be provided, depending on your child’s site. Families are encouraged to send lunch and snacks if their child has specific preferences. Please note that we are unable to heat food at any site, so warm meals should be sent in a thermos. For site-specific details regarding lunch and snack, contact the building principal.

Your child does not need to be toilet trained to attend Just Kids. We work closely with families and support children as they develop this skill. Your child’s classroom teacher will also provide updates on their progress with toilet training.

Transportation is provided for students who receive a classroom-based program as part of their IEP. Bussing is arranged through the county and coordinated with your home district during your child’s CPSE meeting. Our Riverhead site offers transportation through the district for all UPK students.

We provide all related services outlined on your child’s IEP. These may include speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, vision therapy, and psychological counseling, as well as other related services as required. See our special education page.

We use the communication app Seesaw at all of our locations. Classroom teachers and related service providers can send messages and updates directly to families, often sharing photos of special events and classroom activities in real time. Families are also encouraged to use the app to communicate important information with staff, such as reporting absences. All school- and agency-wide announcements are shared through Seesaw.

Not all sites operate during the summer, but you are welcome to enroll your child at a nearby location. For students with IEPs, the CPSE determines eligibility for the summer program. For daycare and UPK students, contact the building principal to express your interest in summer enrollment.

For students going through the CPSE process or already with an IEP, information about the specific program and start date will be shared at your child’s CPSE meeting. For UPK students, placement is determined according to your district’s procedures, which often include a lottery system. For daycare students, contact the building principal directly to discuss classroom availability.

Just Kids serves children ages 3 to 5. We also offer programs in New Suffolk and Middle Island for students with Autism in grades K to 2.

All students will receive an enrollment packet upon starting at Just Kids. Families should complete the packet and submit the required documents, such as school physicals and immunization records, as soon as possible. This helps expedite the enrollment process and allows us to review the paperwork in advance. Start your enrollment here.

Waiting lists vary by site. UPK waitlists are typically managed at the district level, while daycare waitlists are handled directly by Just Kids. Contact your site for details.

Our teachers and therapists meet or exceed all state certification and licensing requirements. Classroom teachers hold appropriate New York State teaching certifications for their grade level or program, and related service providers—including speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and social workers—are fully licensed or certified in their respective fields. All staff have the training and expertise needed to provide high-quality, evidence-based instruction and services to support each child’s individual needs. Learn more about us.

Just Kids places a strong emphasis on developing partnerships with families and values parent involvement in all aspects of our programs. Our goal is to provide a nurturing, engaging, and educational environment that helps every child thrive. We offer a variety of services and programming for students with and without special needs, including special education and related services, Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK), and child daycare. Just Kids supports families in their role as primary educators, caregivers, and decision-makers in the delivery of services. Our programs assist the community at large to recognize the similarities that all children, both those with and without disabilities, share, by our provision of integrated services and the inclusion of children with special needs in our programs. Just Kids stands out because of our individualized approach to learning. While we provide developmentally appropriate classroom experiences for all children, we also tailor instruction and support to each child’s unique strengths, needs, and learning style.