Duo Call Cortlandt Manor Pre-School a 'Dream Come True'

Vanessa Raffaele said it all started with a small conversation six months ago with Christina Poggioreale at the On My Toes Dance Academy in Cortlandt Manor that.

Raffaele, who owns the dance academy, said she had known Poggioreale for 10 years at that point. Poggioreale’s daughter also attended the academy and the two would talk from time to time.

But Raffaele said this conversation was different, although the topic seemed ordinary enough. The subject centered on dreams.

“Christina and I have always dreamed about opening our own school,” Raffaele said. “We have both dreamed about having the opportunity to teach children on a more global scale about the environment and taking care of it. There are different cultures in the world and we both wanted the ability to help broaden the horizons of children.”

Those dreams became a reality in January with the opening of the Little Learners of Westchester pre-school, located in the Parkside Corner Shopping Center at 3565 Crompond Rd., Cortlandt Manor.

The pre-school is open to children ages 2 to 5. The lesson plans incorporate global awareness and the arts as well as phonics, math, science, social studies, reading, writing, computers and language skills.

Students also participate in daily activities like Spanish, yoga, karate and sign language. 

Poggioreale is a state certified elementary school teacher with a dual Masters in special education.  She is also fluent in Spanish.

Raffaele, in addition to owning “Own My Toes Dance Academy,” has 20 years of experience as a pre-school teacher. She has state Child Development Associate Diploma from SUNY Purchase.

Raffaele said Little Learners facility is state of the art and only environmentally friendly cleaners are used.

In addition, the children are only fed organic snacks.

“We want to give these children the same experiences that we give our children at home,” Raffaele said.

Additional information on Little Learners can be found on their Web site here, or by calling (914) 402-1149.