Comment from MommyPoppins...

Date: February 5, 2010

My daughter just turned two when we joined the group. She had some separation discomfort during the first month which I found absolutely normal. Just like any other preschools, parents and kids go through a transition period.
My daughter has been a quiet child so I was at first bit worried that she may not participate as much but Nyla really worked with her and now she's blooming beautifully. She sings and dances and even makes jokes!!

In terms of feedback, Nyla constantly tells us what's going on with the class as a whole and the children individually. Her feedback is always precise and with suggestions and game plans. As this is a small group, I can see the teachers really pay great attention to every single child. They do fun projects and the most important aspect to me as a parent, is my daughter gets to play with other kids and gets the kind of socialization that she would not have staying at home with me nor joining a weekly class elsewhere. The program really prepares the children to get ready for preschool.

About the toys, I don't want to give other parents the impression that these kids only play toys. Nyla brings in her own NEW toys and games all the time. Now they spend much more time doing art and crafts. And they have started a music program that the kids enjoy a lot. The parents have been reading in the class just like another preschool program, even though this is not a preschool.

I would recommend this program as a preschool alternative, no doubt.

Date: February 5, 2010

I have had nothing but good experiences with Play Together.

My daughter wasn't yet two when she started the program and had a hard time separating at first. After a few weeks of working with Nyla and the other teachers, my daughter separates beautifully and gives me a hug and kiss and then runs to join the other kids in whatever activity they are doing. She has become more social with other children and has learned to take turns and cooperate.

Nyla has also helped us tremendously with developmental milestones. For example, my daughter had terrible separation anxiety when my husband would leave for work every morning and she was taking it out in aggressive behavior towards him when he would get home from work. We spoke with Nyla about this and she suggested some strategies that completely fixed the problem.

There are numerous other examples I could cite, which to me have just proven that Nyla really understands early childhood development. She specifically works with kids and encourages activities that will help their individual needs inside the classroom, which is more than what I can say they do at the newer and more modern facilities like NY Kids Club or Kidville, (both of which my daughter also attends with me and which we pay a fortune for).
In my opinion, it is the quality of the program, the emotional support and attention and the depth of understanding of early child behavioral development which is most important at this age, not the beauty of the facility.

Date: February 6, 2010

My daughter, who just turned two when she began attending PTNYC, not only enjoys going to what she calls "fun play group", but I can tell she is making excellent progress in her expression and socialization. She talks about Nyla and the rest of the children a lot, and on those days the "fun play group" doesn't meet, she asks when she gets to return.

Before moving into charitable management and development, I served students in public school systems in two states for over 15 years as a teacher and as an administrator. My experience gives me further appreciation of Nyla's practices. She intentionally avoids the trendy forcefeeding of academic concepts to children who are not intellectually ready. Her work with children reflects Piaget's studies of child development. Children learn through play, and their expression improves through various arttistic means.

That's what Nyla told my wife and me when we and our daughter first met with her, and that is what she has delivered. Furthermore, her open-door policy adds the assurance that my wife and I are welcome at any time.

It is my great privilege to write this note on behalf of Nyla Kamlet and her extraordinary program, Play Together NYC.

Nyla Kamlet is a talented and dedicated educator who excels at working with a diverse student population. I am impressed at the level of thoughtfulness, care and preparation that Nyla gives to every aspect of her program and to each and every student.

Nyla is an innovator with an uncanny ability to plan appropriate level of instruction and guidance to meet the needs of her individual students. She uses a variety of strategies, lessons and projects to get the most out of her students while remaining sensitive to their individual developmental needs. Using innovative activities and creative strategies, Nyla encourages children to engage in imaginative creative play. Whether they choose to play alone or with others, Nyla guides them in positive social interactions. I cannot imagine a more loving, creative, and nurturing environment for a child’s first significant learning experience than Play Together NYC.

On a personal level, Nyla is bright, conscientious and caring; she is impresses me as a woman of good character and the utmost integrity.

I cannot possibly my gratitude enough for the enormous contributions Nyla’s made to my family both personally and professionally. She has earned our family’s love, respect, admiration and highest recommendation.

Yours truly,
DN

"I feel fortunate to have had my daughter, Rebecca, attend Play Together NYC with Nyla Kamlet.  Play Together NYC is a wonderful pre-nursery school alternative and I highly recommend it.  Not only is Nyla's background in child education impressive but just as impressive is her genuine warmth and compassion that radiates in everything she does.  Nyla is delightful and extremely nurturing with children.  Rebecca loved playing with Nyla and thrived in her care."

-J (nyc mother of two)

As an experienced teacher, I felt fortunate to have found Nyla's playgroup.  It was a fantastic playgroup for my daughter and I was so happy with how it was organized and run.  I credit it with boosting my daughter's self confidence tremendously.  She is now more comfortable conversing and playing with other children.  She learned the skills to play comfortably and to negotiate various play scenarios.

Nyla provided a warm, nurturing environment, in which she was able to encourage the children gently, while maintaining their comfort level.  She knew just how to approach my daughter in the morning so that she felt comfortable entering the classroom without me. 

My daughter quickly learned the routine for the morning and what was expected of her.  All of the activities were age appropriate and creative. My daughter was engaged, encouraged and felt good about herself.  She also loved singing all of the new songs that she learned from Nyla's playgroup. 

My daughter was always excited about going to Nyla's playgroup and came home so happy after it.  I would highly recommend it to anybody with a 2-3 year old. 

As seen on Mommypoppins.com

I know of Play Together - That is Nyla Kamlet.
Her program is excellent and she's gifted with children.
My son was in her program before she came up with the whole "Play Together preschool alternative program".
I wish is was around when he was that age. i know of Play Together - That is Nyla Kamlet.
Her program is excellent and she's gifted with children.
My son was in her program before she came up with the whole "Play Together preschool alternative program".
I wish is was around when he was that age.

Submitted by Anonymous on September 2, 2008 - 9:57am.

I just signed up for great program on the upper west side, Play Together NYC. The director is very knowable and the curriculum is fantastic. Very reasonability priced also.
Playtogethernyc.com
As seen on City search

September 09, 2008

I know Nyla Kamlet's supervised play programs quite well. My son Joseph went to her while her groups were first forming.
Our son used to have difficulty separating and socializing. He needed to learn how to process and express his feeling and interact with other children in a group setting.
It was really through Nyla's program that Joe began to thrive. He has now developed into a more independent, communicative and confident child.....
I think she has the perfect recipe for success with young children - a background in child psychotherapy, a passion for children and education as well as compassion for parents.
I'm eternally grateful for the help she gave us with Joseph and her support.
You certainly can't go wrong with her Play Together NYC Program..

• Pros: Small setting perfect for young children.
• Cons: Can' think of one yet

August 29, 2008

This program is a twice a week drop off play group that is exactly what we were looking for our son
the curriculum is excellent and very child appropriate
the director was sanative to our needs and willing to work with us on certain issues
it seems like the perfect transition between home and school.
no brainer for the price

by franstern