Building Blocks Pre-School, Commack | Fees, Rankings, Address, Admission, Vacancies, Reviews & More

This is a letter I wrote to the school two years ago – there isn’t enough amazing things to say about Donna and the amazing staff at this school!

Dear Donna, 8/10/18

It is with a grateful heart that I write this letter to you today with regards to our daughter, Emily. Emily started her Early Intervention journey at a mere 18 months old in January 2014, given a diagnosis that I didn’t even know that complete extent of at the time. When given the list of agencies I could use for evaluation and services, I picked Building Blocks because I had a family friend (Tracy) that worked there. I knew it had a good reputation, but that was the extent of my knowledge. I will never forget the day that Debbie and Jodi came to our home to evaluate Emily – they were so kind, warm and informative about Emily’s skill set and the disconnects we were seeing but didn’t quite know what it was. Little did I know what impact choosing Building Blocks was going to have and how much this very school would affect my entire family’s life!

Emily started with a vigorous ABA schedule at home, one she adjusted to seamlessly because of all the amazing teachers that were brought to our home. That September, she moved onto classes at the actual preschool. Each and every person contributed to her slow but steady progress – our daughter was slowly starting to come out of her “fog” as we called it. Excited yet reserved about her progress and what the future held for Emily, we continued along this journey. After transitioning to CPSE, we truly began to see her progress – forming phrases, beginnings of social relationships with her peers and becoming increasingly aware of the environment around her!

Enter this past year, Emily has blossomed in the ways I didn’t even know possible, and is truly becoming more of that “typical” child I had always heard about during this journey! Letters, counting, colors, handwriting, sounding out simple sight words – every day she came home doing something new! Her social skills have blossomed over this last year as well, better interacting with her peers while forming friendships and bonds. Her new inquisitive nature and love for learning truly amazes me. The true “a-ha” moment for my family was that we could ask Emily each day what she did in school, and she was not only able to respond but give us great detail and descriptions of what went on in each class, who she played with, etc. – whatever question we threw at her she could give us the correct and appropriate answer! Her progress had been slow and steady, but this year it multiplied exponentially! My daughter will now be entering kindergarten in an integrated setting with minimal services, and that is 150% because of the staff at building blocks that changed my daughter’s life!!
There has never been one interaction I have had at this school that has been negative – from all the teachers, the assistants in the classroom, the office staff, security, the amazing service coordinators, we have been truly blessed with the amazing team of educators that have been involved with Emily these past four years. I am forever grateful for each and every staff member that has had a part in fostering our daughter’s growth, believed in her and that has given her the fighting chance to succeed. Emily has loved coming to Building Blocks these last few years – although she is excited for her next adventure at North Ridge, Building Blocks will forever have a piece of her heart. This is not goodbye for the Drucker family yet since Michael still has one more year, however I could not let Emily’s departure from this school go by without writing this letter. You have all touched our lives and there are not enough words in the dictionary to express my gratitude. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Theresa Drucker

We started our journey 3 years ago at this amazing school.
When our son was first diagnosed on the spectrum it was a VERY confusing and an isolating time for us. We had no idea where to start, what to do, or how to help him. We felt completely helpless. On our very first tour with Building Blocks, we walked in completely unsure. We walked out knowing this was going to be the best place for him to grow. In the 3 years we have been there we haven’t been disappointed with our decision once!
This school is staffed with the most amazing individuals. No one ever does not have the time to speak with you. Someone is always willing to help, guide and explain things. Our son has only worked with 8 of the teachers, however I have personally gotten to know every single one of them and know them. They are all amazing. I would be comfortable and confident putting my son in ANY of their classes.
Recently our country was turned upside down, quickly. Without skipping a beat, the administrative staff, teachers & assistants all stepped up and put in 150% of effort to reconstruct how they teach our children. They learned a new way to ensure that all of our children were still learning. Everyday. From the classrooms all the way to gym class!
I have never regretted my decision placing our son in this amazing school. And I know anyone reading this review will not either. They have helped not only my son become the best version of himself, but my family as well.
Building Blocks is not just a school. You become a part of them, a part of their family. Even as we step out the door for the last time and move onto kindergarten, I know without doubt, that if I need something or guidance or support, I can always call them.

If I could give this school negative stars I would. This school should be shut down and all the people running the school should never be able to work with children of any kind ever again. I have two special needs sons, they both attended building blocks. My oldest son Christopher came home on four different occasions with signs that someone was either abusing him or being neglectful of him. I confronted the school several times and then after no results and taking him to the Dr and the Dr telling us to call CPS and special victims, we did and the school retaliated by kicking my son out (two months ago). Then building blocks kicked our younger son out as well, without any rhyme or reason except that it is retaliation in regards to us going to the authorities in regards to our older son being abused and neglected at school. There are a few good apples there, but more that are not. So if I was you I wouldn’t send my child to a place where their safety and well being were not being protected, instead they were being abused and neglected and when you went to talk to Donna (the head) she brushed it off like nothing and was more worried about the reputation of the school than protecting child with special needs. SO WATCH YOUR CHILDREN VERY CAREFULLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!