Read what parents have to say...
As both a therapist and nervous first time parent, I researched preschools for months. My son had tested out of Early On, and no longer qualified for school support. His Early On therapists felt he was ready for typical preschool and he was testing average on all of their assessments. I thought I found a great play based local school and nervously sent him off. Within 6 days of school, we were already being told our son was “too much.” He was “too wiggly” for circle time, “too busy” to focus on art projects, “too fast” moving through the center choices, “too impulsive” to make friends, and “too distracted” to participate with the group. He even “moved too much” in gym class. Within 6 half days of school, my son went from excited to go to “big kid school” to hesitant and anxious. Within 6 half days, less than 15 hours in this school’s care, my friendly, energetic, big feeling, smart 3 year old was already labeled “too much” to be in their classroom.
Walnut lake preschool welcomed us with open arms. They built my then 3.5 year olds confidence back brick by brick; interaction by interaction. He was never “too much” for them, they accepted and loved him exactly as he was. They taught him how to be part of a classroom, how to be a good friend, and how to advocate for himself. He needed the foundational skills that WLP focuses on, and an environment that embraces ALL kinds of brains. WLP changed our lives and gave him a solid foundation to build on as he moves through school in the future. He is now 4.5 and can’t wait to go to school at WLP everyday. He has friends, can be part of a group, and can participate in all of the things that he was viewed as “too much” for. It took time and patience from the WLP teachers to get him to the place he is today- happy, confident, and a great friend. I have no idea where we would have ended up if it weren’t for WLP. My family is forever grateful for this life changing school. -Current Parent
Walnut lake preschool welcomed us with open arms. They built my then 3.5 year olds confidence back brick by brick; interaction by interaction. He was never “too much” for them, they accepted and loved him exactly as he was. They taught him how to be part of a classroom, how to be a good friend, and how to advocate for himself. He needed the foundational skills that WLP focuses on, and an environment that embraces ALL kinds of brains. WLP changed our lives and gave him a solid foundation to build on as he moves through school in the future. He is now 4.5 and can’t wait to go to school at WLP everyday. He has friends, can be part of a group, and can participate in all of the things that he was viewed as “too much” for. It took time and patience from the WLP teachers to get him to the place he is today- happy, confident, and a great friend. I have no idea where we would have ended up if it weren’t for WLP. My family is forever grateful for this life changing school. -Current Parent
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"When you have a child that can't be diagnosed, but you know there are developmental delays, finding the right place for them, especially when they are young, is imperative. It's one of the greatest leaps of faith our family has taken, and in hindsight, the best. Vincent has friends. He sticks up for himself. He's engaged. He's confident. He loves learning. WLP has connected us with the best therapists. We have a diagnosis that makes sense, and now we know what to do to help him." - J.R.
Our son was in the Developmental Kindergarten program for three months and also in the Summer Camp. We really wished we had found this program much earlier. The months he attended made a huge positive impact in our son’s social and emotional behavior. He has now started Kindergarten and we are very grateful for all the attention and preparation he received, we feel it is now paying off very well. Our son still loves looking at his journal and remembering all the wonderful activities he did at WLP. Thank you so much for your compassion with our child and for helping him prepare for elementary school. -Anonymous
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"During the last year, our family has explored many options as it relates to preschool. We have visited many schools and many center-based programs that provide a mix of therapy. I knew what I wanted for my child. I just couldn't find it. Then I was referred to Walnut Lake Preschool. What they offer is truly unique and special. The team is truly remarkable. They tune in to each child's needs and focus heavily on social/emotional development. Their power of observation is like nothing I've seen anywhere else. Curriculum is tailored to the group's developmental needs and goals. I'm so thankful that my son has found a school where he feels comfortable and has the individual attention necessary to thrive." - Melissa C.
After many disappointing meetings with other schools, my husband and I came across WLP from a simple Google search. We made an appointment to meet the team and we knew that they would be the perfect fit for our son. They’re kind, patient, knowledgeable, and want to see their students succeed. Their therapeutic program is like nothing I’ve ever seen and I’ve researched various schools. My son attended both the Preschool and Developmental Kindergarten programs and made so much progress in both. We’re so thankful for the WLP team for giving our son a chance to reach his potential and he’s now thriving in 1st grade! We’re forever grateful to them!
-Anonymous |
"Since our daughter started attending WLP, we have seen tremendous growth, which started almost immediately. The teachers and staff are extremely helpful. The care and attention for each child is amazing. Having a team of professionals to help us along the way to give our daughter all she needs for her continued growth during these crucial years was very comforting." - Anonymous
Dear Colleague,
As I’m sure all of you have encountered in your practice, there are children in our community that have social, emotional, or developmental challenges that make the typical classroom not a viable option for their early childhood education. My son, Cameron, fits this description perfectly. Cameron is a very unique child with unique interests, but also very trying behaviors. Cam started having difficulties in his young 5’s preschool class. His actions and inability to function in the classroom led to many meltdowns, trips to the office, and social isolation in his preschool experience. It also contributed to a significant amount of tears and sleepless nights for my wife and me. It was clear us that without substantial support, he would not be successful in a typical kindergarten setting. We were lost.
While consoling my wife, after another tearful pickup from preschool, a fellow preschool parent asked if we had heard of Walnut Lake Preschool & Developmental Kindergarten. Despite my involvement in the local medical community, we did not know the program existed. That fortunate interaction completely changes our lives going forward. We enrolled Cameron in the summer program that year and continued on for his Kindergarten year.
Walnut Lake Preschool & Developmental Kindergarten offers individualized curriculum for children ages 3-7 that fit Cameron’s description. Only one of a handful of therapeutic preschools in the county, WLP is in Farmington Hills, right in our backyard. They have extremely small class sizes, with teachers who will individualize the curriculum to each child’s educational and emotional needs. Success in a regular classroom is the ultimate goal, regardless of the level of difficulty previously experienced. With a therapist in the classroom, behavior is addressed as regularly as educational curriculum. The staff of teachers and therapists are one of a kind, and some of the most caring and selfless people I have ever encountered, both personally and professionally.
I am happy to report that Cameron is doing exceedingly well in 1st grade this year. The credit for his success this year is in large part to his experience at Walnut Lake Preschool & Developmental Kindergarten.
I am confident that there are families in your practice that are struggling with many of the same issues, and feel as lost as my family did. Please make families aware of WLP and provide them with the opportunity for success that it did for Cameron.
For more information about this specialized school, go to their website at www.walnutlakepreschool.org or call 248-579-6110.
Sincerely,
Daniel Zoller, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Pediatric Hospitalist at Beaumont – Farmington Hills
As I’m sure all of you have encountered in your practice, there are children in our community that have social, emotional, or developmental challenges that make the typical classroom not a viable option for their early childhood education. My son, Cameron, fits this description perfectly. Cameron is a very unique child with unique interests, but also very trying behaviors. Cam started having difficulties in his young 5’s preschool class. His actions and inability to function in the classroom led to many meltdowns, trips to the office, and social isolation in his preschool experience. It also contributed to a significant amount of tears and sleepless nights for my wife and me. It was clear us that without substantial support, he would not be successful in a typical kindergarten setting. We were lost.
While consoling my wife, after another tearful pickup from preschool, a fellow preschool parent asked if we had heard of Walnut Lake Preschool & Developmental Kindergarten. Despite my involvement in the local medical community, we did not know the program existed. That fortunate interaction completely changes our lives going forward. We enrolled Cameron in the summer program that year and continued on for his Kindergarten year.
Walnut Lake Preschool & Developmental Kindergarten offers individualized curriculum for children ages 3-7 that fit Cameron’s description. Only one of a handful of therapeutic preschools in the county, WLP is in Farmington Hills, right in our backyard. They have extremely small class sizes, with teachers who will individualize the curriculum to each child’s educational and emotional needs. Success in a regular classroom is the ultimate goal, regardless of the level of difficulty previously experienced. With a therapist in the classroom, behavior is addressed as regularly as educational curriculum. The staff of teachers and therapists are one of a kind, and some of the most caring and selfless people I have ever encountered, both personally and professionally.
I am happy to report that Cameron is doing exceedingly well in 1st grade this year. The credit for his success this year is in large part to his experience at Walnut Lake Preschool & Developmental Kindergarten.
I am confident that there are families in your practice that are struggling with many of the same issues, and feel as lost as my family did. Please make families aware of WLP and provide them with the opportunity for success that it did for Cameron.
For more information about this specialized school, go to their website at www.walnutlakepreschool.org or call 248-579-6110.
Sincerely,
Daniel Zoller, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Pediatric Hospitalist at Beaumont – Farmington Hills
Read what professionals have to say...
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"We are so fortunate to have such an excellent community resource where the child's individual needs are attended to by a team of early childhood education and development experts. Each family is supported to meet their child's unique developmental challenges."
-Steven Glickfield, D.O. West Bloomfield Pediatrics "The teachers and staff at WLP promote the development of each child to provide an optimal learning environment. I was impressed the minute I walked into the classroom. The teachers and staff are experts in conflict resolution and provide a safe and nurturing environment allowing the children to express their feelings and emotions."
-Tracy Naftaly OTR Pediatric Occupational Therapist |
"Being in the field of education for 25 years at The Roeper School has afforded me the opportunity to understand excellence in school environments. Walnut Lake Preschool provides a rare opportunity and an outstanding personalized program for children."
- Sharon Kennedy Pink Former Admissions Counselor at The Roeper School Former WLP Board Member "I am always confident in my referrals to Walnut Lake Preschool. Their dedication is evident in our clients' success." - Rebecca Lepak M.A. CCC-SLP
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