Question about Neverland Club and other Kid Clubs

[jkstewart1800]

I have been going to WDW for the past 5 years with my 2 boys and we have taken advantage of the Kid Clubs at the deluxe resorts. I can pretty much tell you everything you need to know about them EXCEPT one (pretty major) thing.... Do they, can they, have they accomodate MR kids. I ask because a close friend of mine is planning her first trip ever with her 3 kids and they will be staying at the Poly and she wants to be able to send all three to the Neverland Club so she and her hubby can have a nice night out.

Her oldest (10) boy is MR. His receptive language is right on track although he cannot speak very well, he uses sign language. He is potty trained and can go all by himself. He can read and he can feed himself. He loves computers and video games and plays them just fine without 'help'.

I was wondering if anyone has had experience with the kid clubs and how it all went.

Thanks.

 

[scojos]

in 2010 we used the neverland club so we could go to v&a our son (then 10) has hfasd, they catered well to his needs (except food, they didnt provide him with proper food only kids food )i believe pizza/hot dogs) he has never eaten that he was a foodie at 3 lmao!! we just took him to captain cooks for a "proper" sandwich and a cupcake and the world was calm again

hth tracy

 

[SueM in MN]

They are licensed as day care providers and the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) applies to them. By law, they can't discriminate against someone who is disabled.

They may not have someone who understands sign language, but if his siblings understand him, they can help translate for him. Also, if he is able to write, he could write the things he wants to say to them.

I don't know if he has a communication device of an kind, but he could bring it if he does. If he doesn't have one, his parents may want to look with his speech therapists at one of the many communication apps that are available for iPads and iPod touch devices.

 

[livndisney]

They are licensed as day care providers and the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) applies to them. By law, they can't discriminate against someone who is disabled.

They may not have someone who understands sign language, but if his siblings understand him, they can help translate for him. Also, if he is able to write, he could write the things he wants to say to them.

I don't know if he has a communication device of an kind, but he could bring it if he does. If he doesn't have one, his parents may want to look with his speech therapists at one of the many communication apps that are available for iPads and iPod touch devices.

Where did you see the childcare centers are licensed?

 

[lilouisianagal]

Don't know about the childcare centers, but the sitter service at Disney, Kid's Nite Out clearly states that they do care for special needs kids. Another option if Neverland doesn't work.

 

[SueM in MN]

Where did you see the childcare centers are licensed?

That has been in books and on line before. They were listed as a contracted service, although I can't remember who had the contract.

For the purposes of the ADA, it doesn't matter whether or not they are licensed as a day care. it is a service offered to guests, so they would not be able to discriminate against children and say they could not be cared for just because they are disabled.

 

[lilouisianagal]

That has been in books and on line before. They were listed as a contracted service, although I can't remember who had the contract.

For the purposes of the ADA, it doesn't matter whether or not they are licensed as a day care. it is a service offered to guests, so they would not be able to discriminate against children and say they could not be cared for just because they are disabled.

Kids Nite Out is the contracted service.

 

[SueM in MN]

Kids Nite Out is the contracted service.

Thanks, that was what I thought or KinderCare.

 

[livndisney]

That has been in books and on line before. They were listed as a contracted service, although I can't remember who had the contract.

For the purposes of the ADA, it doesn't matter whether or not they are licensed as a day care. it is a service offered to guests, so they would not be able to discriminate against children and say they could not be cared for just because they are disabled.

Not to argue, just to share my experience:
According to the State of Florida and the childcare clubs themselves, they are not licensed. In my experience the childcare clubs are not set up to meet the needs of all children. As an example the Swan and Dolphin club is quite small and would not have room for a wheelchair. The Neverland club has stairs and the clubs do require all children to be potty trained. I have been told (as have others) that the Cubs Den at WL is not "set up" to accept certain needs.

According to the Recreation Management (in charge of the clubs), they are not licensed and as such are not required to meet all disabilities.

That being said KNO is set up to care for children with most needs.

 

[SueM in MN]

Not to argue, just to share my experience:
According to the State of Florida and the childcare clubs themselves, they are not licensed. In my experience the childcare clubs are not set up to meet the needs of all children. As an example the Swan and Dolphin club is quite small and would not have room for a wheelchair. The Neverland club has stairs and the clubs do require all children to be potty trained. I have been told (as have others) that the Cubs Den at WL is not "set up" to accept certain needs.

According to the Recreation Management (in charge of the clubs), they are not licensed and as such are not required to meet all disabilities.

That being said KNO is set up to care for children with most needs.

Ok that information would have been nice to have to start with. That was not what I had read in the past.

It still doesn't mater whether they are licensed or not. they would still come under the ADA.
There is no requirement under the ADA that any facility/service is required to provide what they are not able to provide.
Only that they can't discriminate and say "we won't provide services for you simply because you are disabled." There is still a requirement to make reasonable accommodations.
In the situation the OP was asking about, it sounded like he would not need any accommodations except in his ability to communication with the staff. And, that could be accommodated without much difficulty.

 

[livndisney]

In the situation the OP was asking about, it sounded like he would not need any accommodations except in his ability to communication with the staff. And, that could be accommodated without much difficulty.[/QUOTE]

I agree given what the OP has asked, there should not be an issue. I was just surprised to see you say they were licensed. I had hoped something has changed.

 

[SueM in MN]

In the situation the OP was asking about, it sounded like he would not need any accommodations except in his ability to communication with the staff. And, that could be accommodated without much difficulty.[/QUOTE]

I agree given what the OP has asked, there should not be an issue. I was just surprised to see you say they were licensed. I had hoped something has changed.

I had read long ago in multiple places that they were licensed and had a contacted service, so It appears they changed from licensed to non-licensed at some point if they are actually not licensed now.

 

[mistysue]

They might have a different licensing than the PP asked about, but as of a few weeks ago they do have some sort of license because it restricts the number of children per caretaker. One night the sandcastle club was not certain if they could keep my kids until they got another person in. There was also some license form hanging on the wall to the left of the check-in computer.

That aside, if they want more than 3 hours out, a sitter through kid's night out will cost less. They will have to provide their kids with their own meals though. Honestly, after doing both we were more excited to use kid's night out again than the club. We got back at 9:30 and our kids were all in bed asleep. They are usually up until at least 10 or so with us on vacation so the next morning was a million times happier!

 

[jkstewart1800]

They are licensed as day care providers and the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) applies to them. By law, they can't discriminate against someone who is disabled.

They may not have someone who understands sign language, but if his siblings understand him, they can help translate for him. Also, if he is able to write, he could write the things he wants to say to them.

I don't know if he has a communication device of an kind, but he could bring it if he does. If he doesn't have one, his parents may want to look with his speech therapists at one of the many communication apps that are available for iPads and iPod touch devices.

He has a type and say kind of a thing that he uses to "talk". But he does a great job of pointing and showing too! And yes his brother and sister will be there to help translate if need be.

 

[jkstewart1800]

Not to argue, just to share my experience:
According to the State of Florida and the childcare clubs themselves, they are not licensed. In my experience the childcare clubs are not set up to meet the needs of all children. As an example the Swan and Dolphin club is quite small and would not have room for a wheelchair. The Neverland club has stairs and the clubs do require all children to be potty trained. I have been told (as have others) that the Cubs Den at WL is not "set up" to accept certain needs.

According to the Recreation Management (in charge of the clubs), they are not licensed and as such are not required to meet all disabilities.

That being said KNO is set up to care for children with most needs.

He has no mobility issues (no wheelchair, walker, crutches etc) He is self reliant when it comes eating and using the toilet. It is just that he can't express himself verbally like other children.

 

[jkstewart1800]

They might have a different licensing than the PP asked about, but as of a few weeks ago they do have some sort of license because it restricts the number of children per caretaker. One night the sandcastle club was not certain if they could keep my kids until they got another person in. There was also some license form hanging on the wall to the left of the check-in computer.

That aside, if they want more than 3 hours out, a sitter through kid's night out will cost less. They will have to provide their kids with their own meals though. Honestly, after doing both we were more excited to use kid's night out again than the club. We got back at 9:30 and our kids were all in bed asleep. They are usually up until at least 10 or so with us on vacation so the next morning was a million times happier!

My friend is aware of KNO and is thinking about using them also, just at a different time. She also wants to use the Kid Clubs, specifically the Neverland Club. I was just wondering if anyone had had any actual experience with a special needs kid.

 

[alizesmom]

Sorry, but I have to ask. Can they really care for all SN kids or are there limitations? Karen

 

[lanejudy]

Sorry, but I have to ask. Can they really care for all SN kids or are there limitations? Karen

As SueM indicated, they are required to offer accommodations as may be appropriate. That said, it really depends on the child's needs. A child who requires 1:1 supervision, they will not/cannot accommodate that unless you arrange for that 1:1 person. They will not/cannot give medications, most won't provide special diet outside of some very common allergens though they may allow you to bring food in from the food court. They don't help with personal needs (toileting) or equipment beyond a very basic level (think equivalent to helping a kid put on shoes). The staffing levels at the kids clubs are not designed to provide the level of support that some children need. Basically, if a child is capable of interacting, communicating and participating in group activities (think of daycare or school at home) - then the club can likely accommodate the special needs. It all depends on the child's needs and may need to be determined on a case-by-case basis. A blanket response to "Can they really care for all SN kids" just isn't possible.

 

[CaliKT]

I have been told (as have others) that the Cubs Den at WL is not "set up" to accept certain needs.

Just curious: what certain needs are they not set up for?

My DH used the Neverland Club when he was 6 last year. He has Asperger's syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism. We had no problems at all with the club, although he didn't really need any special treatment other than to be left alone and not forced into activities if he didn't want to participate. I will say that the person who staffed the Club that night was a retired schoolteacher, knew all about Asperger's, and was very helpful and informative. We sent him to the Club with a book. His younger brother, 4, had a great time playing with the kid and participating in the activities. My older son had a fine time; he mostly read his book and watched the movie.

We were thinking of doing the Cubs Den at WL this time, but I'm considering using KNO now after mistysue's rave review. What will the KNO sitters do with your kids? Are they just hanging out in the room that whole time?

 

[mistysue]

KNO will show up with a suitcase full of "age appropriate toys." You could probably request certain types of things as well. They pretty much do just sit around your hotel room but usually kids find that pretty exciting after all the running around.


Since it came up, the sandcastle club did make special food for my son who is allergic to wheat, soy, egg, dairy, shrimp, peanuts, treenuts, sesame and buckwheat. They said it is prepared by chefs in Cape May so they would do it. I don't know where other clubs make food, so it probably varies dramatically by club.