Inclusive and accommodating, this place is not. I had registered my kiddos for Newman based on the owner's background and education. While they were enrolled for summer camp 2025, communication started in February on my end as my one child does have needs that require support. I provided IEPs, communications about him having and aide with him for part of the day and all of the tools necessary for them to be successful (allergy safe snacks, noise cancelling headphones, sensory toys, special books and projects, etc). On day 1 - I wish I had walked out and never went there again, but everyone is an expert with hindsight. At dropoffs week 1 the main teacher for summer camp, Miss Marissa, showed no interest in interacting with my child or listening on how to support my child with the most basics of needs. When I was giving her specific instructions on day 2 she stopped listening and did not even acknowledge my child to play with her own child. When I reported this to the owner, it was confirmed by another employee..... who was soon let go. During the short time (3.5 weeks) my kids attended camp the thing I received the most contact about was if items that the school wanted to provide foodwisw were safe because of food allergies; I packed snacks daily due to food allergies so there was absolutely no need for food to be provided by the school. There was never how can we support your child, it was always encouraging his aide to keep him at a separate table like an outcast and the wanting to know what time was I going to be there instead of making any effort to make NELC feel safe for him. I offered so many resources and insights and no effort on their end was made. My child's tutor also reached out to offer resources and training and NELC wanted me to pay for any additional support. The owner made it a point to tell me when she had to come in early or leave later because of my child. Several days at pickup there was a child stimming; Miss Marissa regularly told him to stop and find a book to read. Again, another sign I should've followed my gut and stopped sending my kids.
Daycares in general have shifted and I was so hopeful for a new small business in a local town; instead we found a place that discriminates, antagonized a child with needs when they were told daily that the child needs to feel safe and actively recruits child with special needs to attend. The 2 teachers that bonded with my
kiddo when he was where short term employees and left after interacting with my child and reporting all good things. I am sharing this as for a childcare center for your average child it may be fine, but for kiddos with ANY needs- steer clear as 5 months after pulling my child we are still navigating the trauma associated with NELC and how the owner Patty and Marissa treated him.
He was there for 30 minutes 2 days a week without an aide and in that short time they completely ignored him when he needed help and didn't even attempt to support basic needs to keep my child safe. The last day my kids went I came home to finding out that there was a physical interaction between my kids that day that I never received any notification about. I immediately pulled my kids that night and was told I was responsible for several weeks of tuition and disbelief that I was pulling my kids. No mention of physical interaction between my kids or any issues that day; fast forward the following week when the state went out to investigate after they were no longer enrolled I received a incident report my child with severe food allergies ingested non-food a week prior. read more
