Access to high-quality childcare is extremely important in today’s world, as it ensures children are safe and healthy. It also helps children develop social, emotional, and communication skills, which are all critical aspects of a child’s growth during very formative years. Approximately 12.5 million children under the age of five are in some form of regular childcare arrangement in the United States.
Childcare is essential for families that rely on dual incomes or single-parent households that must go to work. However, the cost of daycare in the U.S. can be extremely expensive, with the average annual cost of infant care reaching more than $12,000. This expense can become a major financial burden for many households. According to the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), childcare is unaffordable for 63 percent of American families.
Without affordable and reliable daycare options, parents may have to reduce their work hours or leave their jobs altogether. This unfortunate reality continues cycles of poverty and can limit economic mobility. In response to the many challenges that come along with the childcare industry, organizations like Little Scholars NYC provide vital resources for families from various socioeconomic backgrounds.
Founded 11 years ago by Nick Kats and Mariana Korsunsky, Little Scholars NYC is a prominent provider of daycare and early education in Brooklyn. Mariana and Nick’s journey began when they met each other in high school. Mariana was always passionate about education, and she pictured a future where she would be able to nurture young people while providing a stimulating and creative environment.
Nick has always had an ambitious outlook on life, and he has pursued various business ventures throughout the course of his professional life. Despite going down different paths, Nick and Mariana always kept in touch and talked about their aspirations. Mariana talked about her dreams of opening a preschool, while Nick would discuss the challenges he was seeing in the business world. During one of these conversations, the idea for Little Scholars NYC came to Nick and Mariana.
Nick proposed a partnership where he would bring his business mind, and Mariana would focus on the educational aspect of a potential organization. It was a perfect match in terms of what each person would bring to the table, but the journey to opening the first location certainly had its obstacles. The duo faced challenges when looking for the right location, and when dealing with the complex regulations that come along with early childhood education in New York.
Nick and Mariana overcame the challenges in 2013, when they opened the doors to their first center in Brooklyn. The response from the community was overwhelmingly positive. Building on this success, Nick and Mariana expanded Little Scholars to six locations across Brooklyn. Each center helps 500 families in the area.
The centers provide full-day programs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with additional wraparound care options to accommodate parents’ differing schedules. The organization has a rigorous curriculum that is designed to help each child achieve educational excellence. The programs ensure that the children are supported and able to thrive academically and socially.
Little Scholars NYC is deeply committed to its mission of inclusivity. In partnership with the NYC Department of Education, the organization offers free pre-K seats and specialized services for children with disabilities. The centers provide on-site therapists and early intervention services, such as speech, physical, and occupational therapy.
The centers also employ a diverse staff. “We employ a diverse population of people,” says Nick Kats. “We accept children from all backgrounds and families from all backgrounds. We are able to help families that have children with learning or behavioral disabilities. We gladly accept them because we have professionals working for us who are able to support these families during their journey.”
The centers are known for their nurturing and stimulating environment, excellent programs, and heartwarming staff members. There are plans to open three new locations in Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn soon, as the team works to reach more affluent families while remaining inclusive throughout the boroughs.
With access to high-quality, affordable childcare affecting so many families, the work that Nick and Mariana are doing through Little Scholars is vital in bridging the gap for families of diverse socioeconomic statuses. For many underprivileged families, organizations like Little Scholars are helping change the trajectory of their children’s lives. Nick and Mariana’s partnership proves that, through passion and entrepreneurship, dreams can come true.
