Written by Isabella Aranda Garcia & Gia Miller
Some parents drop and run, others linger for hugs and tears, but in the end, their expectations are always the same: a warm, creative and nurturing environment for their toddlers and young children. For over 40 years, Katonah Playcare has been delivering just that. Children ages 21 months to five years learn more than just their ABCs, as the school also emphasizes learning the social and pragmatic life skills they believe are essential to building a strong foundation for learning and life.
The highly skilled and deeply knowledgeable staff focus on fostering self-confidence, emotional security and a love for learning by taking full advantage of their close-to-downtown Katonah location. Students go on walks around town and visit the library and other businesses in the area. Katonah Playcare also runs food and clothing drives for the Community Center of Northern Westchester and participates in their annual Moms for Moms drive.
What We Love
The school aims to meet each child’s and family’s needs. If a family is in crisis, they join meal trains, provide the parents with daily communication about their child and/or give extra cuddles and comfort to their student. Plus, they remain in touch with families long after graduation; they now teach the children of some of their former students.
Runner-up: Little Blessings, Mount Kisco
This article was published in the January/February 2025 edition of Connect to Northern Westchester.
To view all 2025 Connect to the Best winners, click here.
Gia Miller is an award-winning journalist and the editor-in-chief/co-publisher of Connect to Northern Westchester. She has a magazine journalism degree (yes, that's a real thing) from the University of Georgia and has written for countless national publications, ranging from SELF to The Washington Post. Gia desperately wishes schools still taught grammar. Also, she wants everyone to know they can delete the word "that" from about 90% of their sentences, and there's no such thing as "first annual." When she's not running her media empire, Gia enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, laughing at her crazy dog and listening to a good podcast. She thanks multiple alarms, fermented grapes and her amazing husband for helping her get through each day. Her love languages are food and humor.
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.
