Full Inclusion in a General Education Preschool Class (SEIT)

Many young children with special needs can thrive in a general education classroom with the appropriate support. Cooke provides dedicated, certified special education teachers to work one-on-one with children in more than 60 preschools and Head Starts throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. These teachers are called special education itinerant teachers, or SEITs.

SEITs work with children with special needs for two or more hours each week, providing in-class support by adapting lessons and instructional techniques to meet the needs of each child. They help to integrate children into the classroom setting and encourage their independence. SEITs also coordinate any additional services a child may receive, such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and counseling. SEIT and related services are available throughout the year and during the summer.

Many preschoolers receiving Cooke's SEIT services go on to general education kindergarten settings.

Support for parents and classroom teachers

SEITs collaborate with parents and the general education classroom teachers to ensure a consistent approach to helping a child develop.  SEITs share knowledge, techniques and instructional strategies with all members of the school team. They also support parents through the process of evaluations and developing a formal education plan for their children.

Accessing SEIT services

The SEIT program is open to children ages 3 to 5 who have been classified as a preschooler with a disability through the NYC Committee on Preschool Special Education.

For more information about an evaluation, please visit the Preschool admissions page.