At Springbrook’s Kids Unlimited Preschool (KUP), the extraordinary is happening every day, often in ways that might seem small in the moment, but life-changing over time.
KUP stands apart as the only preschool serving children ages 3–5 of all abilities together in the classroom across Otsego County. Here, children with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) learn side by side with their developing peers by sharing experiences, building relationships, and growing together from the very start.
Through a classroom model known as a Special Class in an Integrated Setting (SCIS), a New York State Education Department-approved program designed to combine specialized instruction with the natural benefits of peer interaction, each classroom is supported by a team that includes a special education teacher, an early childhood teacher, and classroom aides. These teams work in close collaboration with therapists to ensure every child receives the support they need.
But what makes this environment so powerful isn’t just the structure, but the transformation that happens within it.
“If you were to walk into any of our classrooms in September and pop back in in June, you’d see why,” shares Assistant Director of Kids Unlimited Preschool Roberta Brown-O’Connor. “The difference we make each day is remarkable.” She recalls a young student who began the year mostly immobile and is now walking independently, and children who once struggled socially but have since blossomed into confident, engaged classmates. “Those moments are what make smiles possible even on the tough days,” she says.
For Special Education Teacher Kim Nissen, those milestones are part of daily life. After 17 years with Springbrook, she continues to see the impact of this integrated approach in meaningful, lasting ways. In her classroom, learning is play-based and individualized, whether a child is practicing gluing alongside peers, tracing lines, or working toward communication goals. Therapies like speech, occupational, and physical therapy are woven naturally into the school day, with teams meeting regularly to adapt and respond to each child’s progress.
The result is an environment where children not only build academic skills, but also gain independence in everyday life whether it is through learning to use utensils, becoming potty-trained, or taking their very first steps.
Just as importantly, the integrated setting benefits every child in the room. Students with IEPs gain communication skills, confidence, and social development through peer modeling, while their classmates develop empathy, collaboration, and an early understanding of inclusion. “Exposure to others with differences creates an understanding that is so impactful at this age,” Kim explains.
For families, those benefits are not just visible, but they’re deeply felt.
“When asked how Kids Unlimited has impacted our child, my response is: how hasn’t it!” shares parent Danielle Craft. “In just six months, our three-year-old has grown immensely. Despite joining mid-year, she adjusted quickly excitedly running to the door of KUP at drop-off and gets upset on weekends and breaks because she misses school so much.”
Danielle emphasizes how the integrated classroom is one of the program’s most meaningful aspects. “While our daughter is not on the spectrum, the experience of learning alongside diverse peers at such a young age is a gift I wish every child had,” she says. “Hearing about her forming a genuine bond with a non-verbal friend has been a beautiful experience.”
Beyond social-emotional growth, she’s seen her child thrive in other ways as well. “She recognizes her classmates’ names in print, compares the letters to her own, creates artwork daily, and sings us the new songs she has learned,” Danielle adds. “Whether they are exploring the classroom, the wonderful playground, or burning off energy in the gym, it’s clear she is gaining a massive head start for her future success. We are so grateful to have stumbled across this program.”
For other families, the transformation can be just as profound, especially for children who need extra support.
“When my son joined KUP, he was struggling with speech, some basic life skills, transitions, and normal daily interactions,” shares parent Lindsey Talbot. “Since then, my little boy has completely come out of his shell.”
She describes changes that have made a meaningful difference in everyday life. “He is able to go to the grocery store without meltdowns, he enjoys making new friends and seeing what other children are doing,” Lindsey says. “The little boy who was barely putting three words together is speaking in almost full sentences. There is rarely frustration anymore from people understanding him. I get to hear all about his teachers and friends daily.”
“KUP has changed my little guy’s life for the better,” she adds. “Thank you for all you do every day.”
That sense of connection extends beyond the classroom. Through tools like Brightwheel, families receive daily updates, photos, and insights into their child’s progress, strengthening the partnership between home and school. “It’s opening doors to communication with caregivers,” Roberta notes, allowing families to stay actively engaged in their child’s development.
Programs like Kids Unlimited Preschool are not common, and for many families in Otsego County, this is the only place where their child can access this kind of inclusive, supportive education. It’s also a program made possible through donor support, which helps sustain not only the classrooms, but also enhancements like accessible playgrounds and outdoor trails that ensure every child can participate fully.
“The evidence speaks for itself,” Roberta says, pointing to the countless success stories that emerge each year. Kim echoes that sentiment simply: “Because of the work we do and the support we receive.”
Every breakthrough, every new skill, every moment of connection begins here. With continued support, Kids Unlimited Preschool can keep opening doors—for every child, of every ability—creating a place where they can learn, grow, and truly belong.