About Us
KBLS was founded by members of the Scarsdale community in 1982 and for more than 40 years we have been providing ever-improving programs for early childhood education and enrichment.
Kids’ B.A.S.E. offers educational and before-and after-school programs for Scarsdale elementary students in grades K-5th.
The Little School offers early childhood education programs and summer enrichment camp for children aged 2-5 years old.
We are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and licensed by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services. To learn more about how this benefits our students and informs all we do, please visit the NAEYC’s Family Resources site.
A Note From Our Executive Director
Since joining KBLS as Executive Director in 2016, it has been my mission to bring innovative programming to our school and to be the premier early childhood center in all of Westchester County. Since then, full enrollment, new playground, new curriculum programs and a stellar teaching staff are just some of the exciting things happening at KBLS.
Prior to coming to KBLS, I worked at Ridgeway Nursery School and Kindergarten in White Plains for 27 Years. I worked as an adjunct professor at Nyack College where I taught in the early childhood department teaching and mentoring new teachers. I have also worked at Britannica Learning Center, and at the Port Chester and Edgemont public schools. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Science degree in Reading Education from the State University College at Cortland.
I am a team player and enjoy mentoring teachers and staff to be the best they can be. I have a very hands-on approach with the staff, parents, and students at the school. My door is always open to everyone, and I invite you to stop by and have a chat!
JANICE BARNES
Faculty and Staff
At KBLS we take great pride in the passion our faculty and staff have for our students and our school community. Our teachers are skilled and experienced professionals who work together to provide a positive and enriching experience for each child and support for their parents.
Each class is conducted under the leadership of a head teacher and assistant teachers. Our head teachers are credentialed with either an M.A. or B.A. in education, and our assistant teachers are experienced in working with young children and have earned a B.A., an A.A., a C.D.A. (Child Development Associate), or hold college credits in education.
Head Teachers
Teacher Assistants
Agnes Sayegh
Andria Seabrook
Ann Marie Telesco
Ann Marie Hunter Giarmo
Bea O’Brien
Beyonce Delgado
Brenda Fagan
Elaine Chin
Giulianna Buglione
Hannah Hunter
Jimmy Russin
Kevin Kenny
Kristen Flynn
Lucy Biggar
Lucy Masullo
Michele Proscia
Mint Kwanmuang
Sandy Siconolfi
Shannon Bryan
Sue Yockelson
Susan Cerpa
Toni Maria Biggar
Melissa Santoro
2s Teacher
Biography coming soon.
Gina Flusser
2s Teacher
Ms. Gina has taught in early childhood settings for over 18 years. She received her undergraduate degree from Binghamton University and her graduate degree from Fordham University. She also holds a NY State Social Work License. Ms. Gina is also a mom to two boys.
“Being a part of the learning journey is such a special privilege, it feels new and exciting with each and every child.”
Amy Nungesser
2s Teacher
Amy Nungesser received her undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education from Nyack College in 2008 and her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Manhattanville College in 2018. Before joining KBLS, Ms. Amy taught universal Pre-K for 5 years and a 3-year-old class at Ridgeway Nursery School for 3 years. After being head teacher for a 4-year-old class at The Little School for 3 years, she went on to her current position as the head teacher for the Little Sprouts, a 2-year-old class. This is Ms. Amy’s 4th year at The Little School.
Amy is passionate about teaching young children and finds it a privilege to help them learn and grow during this crucial part of their lives. Ms. Amy especially loves to incorporate music and literacy into her lessons.
Patti Avezzano
3s Teacher
Patti is enjoying her 7th year at The Little School as a 3s teacher in the Strawberries class. She brings more than 20 years of teaching experience in Nursery School and Kindergarten. Ms. Patti earned her B.S. degree in Business Administration and M.S. in Elementary Education and a Permanent Certification for teaching grades N-6 prior to joining KBLS.
“I love to work with young children and truly enjoy watching them learn and grow through play!”
Christine Newbauer
3s Teacher
Ms. Christine started her teaching career at KBLS in 2004. Since 2005 she has been the Head Teacher of the Banana class. She has also worked at our afterschool program and was camp counselor at our summer program for over 18 years. Ms. Christine received her B.A. in History and Early Childhood Education at Lehman College. She is a proud mom to her furbaby, Brady 😊
“I love getting to know every child and their family. The KBLS staff and families have been supportive over the years-KBLS feels like a home away from home! My goal is for every child to learn and to be kind, positive individuals. I foster an atmosphere that allows children to explore, express themselves and most of all, have fun!”
James Brigante
4s Teacher
While James was earning his B.A. in Education and a B.A. in Psychology from Manhattanville College, he was also completing his 10 years’ tenure at an afterschool program for K-6th grade. Mr. James joined KBLS as an Assistant Coach and Assistant Teacher in 2003 and was promoted to Head Teacher of the Kangaroos in 2004 where he continues today.
“I try to bring all of my passions to the children in one way or another by opening their eyes to the world around them, getting them to think and work together, caring for one another and having fun in the process. Teaching is one of the most rewarding aspects of my life.”
Sabrina McCarthy
4s Teacher
Sabrina McCarthy has worked in early childhood settings for more than nine years and has been the head teacher in the Owl class for five of them! She earned her B.A. degrees in Early Childhood Education, Childhood Education and English from SUNY New Paltz, and an M.ED. degree in Literacy from UNR. Ms. Sabrina also holds her New York State teaching certificate. Her favorite part of teaching the fours is fostering a love of learning in children and preparing them for a successful year in Kindergarten.
“I believe that early childhood is such a crucial time in children’s lives, when they learn endless and new things by exploring the world around them.”
Sarah Immer
4s Teacher
Ms. Sarah started her journey at The Little School in 2013 as an Assistant Teacher for two years. In 2015, Sarah became the Head Teacher of the Tigers classroom. This is her 6th year as the Tiger teacher.
Ms. Sarah received her Undergraduate Degree from Mercy College, followed by her Master’s degree in Early childhood Education, Special Education, in 2008.
“I believe every child; every day has the potential to learn through the exploration of the world around them. Early childhood education is fundamentally about helping children grow emotionally, socially and physically.”
“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning” — Fred Rodgers
Breanne Castellano
4s Teacher
Breanne has been teaching in the elementary and preschool setting since 2012. Since receiving her dual masters in Childhood and Special Education from Long Island University in Purchase, N.Y. she has taught multiple age groups in a variety of classroom settings. She comes to us from Ridgeway Alliance Nursery School where she spent her time developing educational programs and teaching in inclusive settings. She loves teaching the Pre-K Academy class here at The Little School. Miss Bre has a daughter Ella and son Benjamin. In her free time she enjoys being outdoors with her husband, children and dog Maizy.
“The greatest aspect of teaching is watching the children walk into the classroom each day. They are all filled with such love, spirit and an eagerness to learn and absorb everything around them. Being able to provide them with guidance and support of all life’s lessons brings tremendous joy and fulfillment.”
Mint Kwanmuang
Kids B.A.S.E. Head Teacher
Mint Kwanmuang received her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Delaware. She also holds her Child Development Associate certification. Mint has been working at Kids’ B.A.S.E for seven years and in the Owls classroom for six years. She began working as Head Teacher of Kids’ Base in January 2022.
“My favorite part of early education is creating and fostering a personal connection with each child and their family. I love watching each child grow and learn about the world and themselves during this crucial period of their life.”
Belle Jarrett
Head Teacher
Belle Jarrett holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Child Development, and Child Development Associate certification. She has been an early childhood educator for nine years, and the Banana class assistant teacher at the Little School since 2019. In 2023 she became the co-head teacher of the Banana class and the head teacher for the Kids’ B.A.S.E. Kindergarten after school program.
“As an early childhood educator, I believe that all children are unique individuals who need a secure, nurturing, and stimulating environment in which they can engage, learn, grow, and mature in all areas of development: socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically.”
Our Board of Trustees
Kids’ B.A.S.E. & The Little School are governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of Scarsdale community residents interested in furthering the KBLS educational mission. They serve a minimum of 2 years and elect new Trustees to the Board each June.
If you are interested in joining the Board, have suggestions, or wish to give feedback, please feel free to email the Board directly kblsboardoftrustees@gmail.com
The current Board operates through June of 2026 and is comprised of the following Trustees:
- Tiffany Cohen – co-President
- Jessie Schachter – co-President
- Jessica Anshel Steinberg – Vice President
- Vivian Xie – Treasurer
- Freddie Allen
- Puja Chand
- Justin Cohen
- Kimberly Frazier
- Annie Han Hsu
- Stephen Karotkin
- Rachel Klein
- Anuja Kriplani
- Toby Milstein Schulman
- Rachel Philion
- Alexandra Shah
- Dhivya Sivaji
- Cindy True
Our Campus
Our 15,000+ square foot campus, located in Scarsdale, New York, includes a two-story schoolhouse with eight bright multi-windowed classrooms, a large gymnasium, a small library and multiple other multi-use indoor spaces. Our students also benefit from an enclosed play field, a modern open-air courtyard playground at the center of the school, and a second playground located in our side yard. We are fully handicapped-accessible, with ramps and an elevator between floors.
The Little School
The Little School classrooms are designed to elicit curiosity and positivity from our 2–5-year-old students. As Marilou Hyson, PhD (former editor-in-chief of Early Childhood Research Quarterly and former NAEYC Associate Executive Director) says, “[t]he organization of the preschool classroom sends important signals to children about what there is to do and how to do it.” Research indicates that a well-organized classroom helps children learn and motivates them to interact positively with each other.
Classrooms at The Little School are airy, colorful, and filled with a variety of materials, objects and items for your child to manipulate, explore, snuggle, build, play with, read, and share. Each classroom is intentionally designed to encourage your child’s natural curiosity and desire to learn about his/her world.
Every room has a large gathering area for the entire class to meet for circle time and other group activities. Each classroom also includes carefully planned interest centers, intermittently broken by child-sized shelving dividers and furniture. These defined areas allow children to play with independence or to gather in small groups for activities and include literacy (books and soft reading spots), dramatic play (props and dress-up), blocks with a variety of props, manipulative play materials (beads, puzzles, pegboards, and other construction toys), art, science (interspersed throughout via plants, seeds, and seasonal manipulatives), Smartboard lessons, and individual cubbies for each child.
Additionally, as the year progresses, the children’s art thematically decorates each room, creating a year-round evolving art gallery of their work to walk through and explore.
Kids’ B.A.S.E.
Our courtyard level is dedicated space for our Kids’ B.A.S.E. before-and after-school programs, which begin at 7 am and end at 6pm. Bus transportation to and from Scarsdale’s five elementary schools is coordinated with the Board of Education and runs twice daily.
Kids’ B.A.S.E. is located on the courtyard floor of our building and is designed with an open flow, from a large locker expanse where children can keep their personal effects, to meeting rooms where they can gather for study or small group interaction, to computer stations and an open area filled with books, blocks, games and puzzles. There is a dramatic play center and an area for knock-hockey tables as well as a fully supplied art center.
Campus Security
At KBLS, ensuring the safety and security of our students as they learn and grow is paramount. Our facilities and our procedures meet the safety standards of the New York State Office of Children and Family services as well as those of the NAEYC. Each door into the KBLS building has a closed-camera video system and intercom by which all visitors are identified and must be buzzed in. Only parents, approved caregivers or contacts on a family’s “Authorized List” are permitted to pick up students. Every classroom has a telephone and an intercom as well as emergency supplies.
Our play facilities, including playgrounds, outdoor play space and the gymnasium, are inspected annually by a certified playground safety inspector. Our facilities are regularly reviewed for safety and maintenance.
Lastly, in tandem with physical security and facility safety standards, KBLS maintains computer and internet safety standards which are derived from federal and state statutory regulations (e.g., COPPA) as well as ‘digital citizenship’ standards. For example:
- Computers at Kids’ B.A.S.E. utilize software to ensure that inappropriate language or imagery cannot be accessed. Files are not downloadable, so that malicious or inappropriate software cannot be downloaded and opened. These controls are set using Administrator access to ensure permissions cannot be altered without IT login information.
At KBLS we are aware that technology continues to rapidly evolve, and so does the need to evaluate safety. We regularly evaluate whether additional enhancements would further serve and protect our student community. If you have any thoughts or concerns on this subject, please feel free to contact either our Executive Director, Janice Barnes, or the Board of Trustees.
Our Affiliations
