Written by Isabella Aranda Garcia
Jason Kadlec’s Pick
Why he chose them:
“The directors greet each child at the door with the same joy and enthusiasm as they did on day one. Every teacher, director and person associated truly cares about the growth and development of each child.”
What’s one thing your customers don’t know you do behind the scenes?
One thing our families perhaps don’t know we do behind the scenes is think about their children all the time:) These children and our care of their physical, emotional, and cognitive needs are so important to us. We are always thinking about them and the best way to educate and care for these young people as we prep, plan, and collaborate with each other to provide the best program possible.
What’s one item you always have on hand (that no one would expect)?
We always have a plethora of fun Band-Aids on hand! Band-Aids make everything better. 🙂
Tell us about your favorite local spot.
One of our favorite local spots in town is G. Willikers toy store. Their beautifully curated selection of toys and games are not only a feast for little eyes, but are so supportive of the growth and development of young children. There is truly something there for every child’s different interests and skills. We love to see what’s new and interesting at G. Willikers!
If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing instead?
If Jeannine weren’t doing this, she would be baking and cooking in her kitchen 24/7! It’s my happy place, my stress-reliever, and I get such joy from feeding my family and friends.
If Gail weren’t doing this, she would be crafting with her grandchildren. I love to spend time with them, talk and hear about their lives, and create beautiful things for them to keep as memories or give as gifts.
What’s your business’s unofficial motto?
Our unofficial motto is that every parent’s thoughts and feelings matter. They are the experts on their child and our goal is to make each child’s time at our school a true collaboration between school and home.
What’s your dream customer reaction?
Our dream customer reaction is for a child to find coming to school at KPCELC a joyful, exciting, and wonderful part of their day!
What’s the one thing your business couldn’t function without?
One thing our business can’t function without is our incredible teachers. They are experienced, caring, smart, and always in-tune with the heartbeat of their class. They look at each child as an individual and respond to their needs in every possible way.
What’s one thing people often say when they first walk in?
The one thing people often say when they walk into our school is “It’s so cute!” We love that reaction—they are responding to the warmth and joy they see around them from the artwork on the walls, to the laughter and chatter they hear from the children in the classrooms, to the obvious caring nature of the teachers interacting with the children.
Address: 44 Edgemont Rd, Katonah, NY 10536
Phone number: (914) 232-7825
Website: katonahplaycare.com
This article was published in the January/February 2026 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
To view all 2026 Connect to the Best winners, click here.
Isabella Aranda is a designer, writer and social media specialist with an M.A. in emerging media from the New Media Institute at the Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication. Driven by curiosity and inspired by timeless modern design, she blends creativity and strategy to craft compelling narratives that engage diverse audiences.
Her expertise spans digital marketing, content creation and UX design, with notable achievements such as co-creating the Georgia On Your Mind podcast and leading digital campaigns that significantly boosted engagement. A Venezuelan immigrant, Isabella brings a multicultural perspective to her work, enhancing her ability to connect with and inspire others.
