Here at Lil' Sprouts, we provide a warm, loving, healthy, and safe environment for children to flourish!
Lil' Sprouts is a non-denominational early learning center located in Peekskill, NY that provides a warm, loving, healthy, and safe environment for children ages eighteen months to five years old to flourish. We believe that learning through play is a developmentally appropriate approach to early childhood education, and allows our students to reach new levels of self-discovery.
Transitioners (24 to 36 months-old) + Toddlers (18 to 30 months-old)
Preschool (3 to 4 years-old)
+ Pre-K (4 to 5 years old)
Pre-K Plus (5 years-old)
Transitioners + Toddlers
Our Transitioner & Toddler students engage in a program that provides a language-rich environment with developmentally appropriate learning opportunities. These opportunities will support fine and gross motor development, problem-solving, self-regulation, frustration tolerance, and the ability to build relationships with peers and primary caregivers. The curriculum promotes safety, security, individuality, cooperation, and active learning.
Preschool + Pre-K
Our Pre-K and Preschool program uses a language-rich environment to foster pre-reading, writing, listening, and verbal communication skills. Students will learn to be motivated, persistent, flexible, inventive, and tolerant of frustration, while developing problem-solving skills. Both small and large group play are incorporated into the classroom structure, as well as teacher-directed and student-initiated play-based learning. These opportunities will help students develop social skills, self-regulation, self-esteem, kindness, and relationships with peers and caregivers. The curriculum activities promote independence, cooperation, communication, investigation, and active hands-on learning, which will prepare students with the skills they need for kindergarten.
Pre-K+
Pre-K Plus is a safe, nurturing, and fun seasonal summer camp program designed to prepare children for their transition into Kindergarten in the fall. Our program offers a mix of academic, social, and emotional learning experiences that will help your child develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in school.
Flexible Scheduling to Fit Your Needs
At Lil’ Sprouts at First Hebrew Congregation, we offer a variety of scheduling options to accommodate busy families.
Full-Time School Day: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Part-Time School Day: 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Early Care: 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Late Care: 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
We Also Offer:
We maintain a nut-free facility with use of a dairy-based kitchen. Vegetarian alternatives are available. Beginning summer 2025, meals will be included in tuition. Please inform us of any allergies or dietary restrictions to ensure a safe dining experience for your child.
Lil’ Sprouts is licensed by The Office of Family and Child Services, ensuring the highest standards of safety and care. Our facility features a locked entry system for security, viewing windows in every classroom door, fully gated outdoor play areas for safe exploration, and strict child pick-up policies. Children are only released to authorized individuals designated by a parent or guardian.
We take pride in fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment where every child is valued and supported. To help make quality early childhood education accessible, we accept Westchester Works Scholarships through the Westchester Child Care Council and subsidy payments from the Westchester Department of Social Services.
Parent Testimonials
“Since his 18-month birthday, our three-year-old son has been part of the Lil’ Sprouts family. Since day one, he comes home with a huge smile on his face. On the weekend, he tells us he wants to go back to school. As a working mom, it is so reassuring knowing our son is not only in an incredibly loving and warm environment, but one that has also nurtured his development and helped him grow into the smart, happy toddler he is today. Their play-based approach is fundamental for toddler learning, and I would highly recommend Lil’ Sprouts to any parent looking for caring and supportive daycare.”
— Marina F.
“I can't say enough wonderful things about Lil’ Sprouts! My three children have attended Lil’ Sprouts starting at 18 months until age four. It has been an incredible experience for our entire family. The staff are caring, attentive, and go above and beyond to ensure each child feels loved and supported. The facility is clean, safe, and well-organized, providing a perfect environment for learning and growth. The curriculum is engaging, fun, and tailored to each child's unique needs and interests. My children have thrived under the guidance of the talented and dedicated teachers. Communication with parents is excellent, with regular updates and opportunities to discuss our child's progress. We feel grateful to have found Lil’ Sprouts and highly recommend it to any family seeking a nurturing and educational environment for their child.”
— Nicole L.
“My son has been at Lil’ Sprouts for two years. He is being raised in a bilingual household where we speak English and Spanish. Lil’ Sprouts is a healthy and safe environment for him. He has made very good friends, and I trust all of the staff there. They consistently add new things to the curriculum so that the children are well-rounded and always learning. Just the other day, my son was showing me the new yoga poses he learned. His speech and vocabulary have improved so much. His teachers are well-organized and always check in with me to let me know how he is doing. I would recommend Lil’ Sprouts to anyone.”
— Sitembile S. (English Version)
“Mi hijo ha estado en Lil’ Sprouts durante dos años. Se está criando en un hogar bilingüe donde hablamos inglés y español. Lil’ Sprouts es un ambiente saludable y seguro para él. Ha hecho muy buenos amigos y confío en todo el personal. Constantemente agregan cosas nuevas al plan de estudios para que los niños sean completos y estén siempre aprendiendo. Justo el otro día, mi hijo me estaba mostrando las nuevas posturas de yoga que aprendió. Su habla y vocabulario han mejorado mucho. Sus maestras están muy bien organizadas y siempre se comunican conmigo para informarme cómo le está yendo. Recomendaría Lil’ Sprouts a cualquiera.”
— Sitembile S. (Spanish Version)
“Lil’ Sprouts has been a blessing to our family. From the daycare program through pre-K, the staff has been amazing! We have observed significant academic and social growth through their learn-through-play philosophy. Our children have also highly enjoyed the summer camp. We are so excited for our younger children to attend!”
—Amy T.
Want to contact us to tour our facility or to learn more?
Our Programs
For Lil' Learners (18 months to 5 years-old)
Our Team:
Rebecca De Angelis, Director of Lil' Sprouts ELC
Rebecca is passionate about early childhood education and has dedicated over twelve years to the field as both a teacher and director. She holds an associate degree in Early Childhood Education from Dutchess Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology & Education from Mount Saint Mary College.
Specializing in developmentally appropriate, play-based learning, Rebecca focuses on creating hands-on, engaging, and social learning experiences that provide a strong foundation for future success. As director, she takes pride in inspiring her team to offer high-quality early learning opportunities for every student.
Rebecca joined the Lil’ Sprouts team in May 2024 and looks forward to collaborating with staff and families to support children through their first educational experiences.
Outside of Lil’ Sprouts, she enjoys yoga, cooking, baking, hiking with her rescue pup Augie, and reading a good thriller novel.
Ms. Elisa, Pre-K Teacher & Leadership Member
Elisa is our Pre-Kindergarten teacher and a valued member of the Lil’ Sprouts Leadership Team. She holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and is a certified New York State teacher. With 30 years of experience teaching four-year-olds and previous center director experience, she brings a wealth of knowledge to our program.
In addition to leading her classroom, Elisa assists with administrative duties and mentors fellow preschool staff members. She believes in making each day a great one and strives to create a warm and enriching environment for her students.
Outside of Lil’ Sprouts, Elisa is married, has two adult children, and is a proud rescue cat mom to her fur-baby Misha.
Ms. Holly, Toddler Teacher & Leadership Team Member
Holly is our Toddler teacher and a long-standing, dedicated member of the Lil’ Sprouts Leadership Team. She holds Child Development Associate (CDA) Credentials in both Infant & Toddler Development and Preschool Development.
Beyond teaching in her classroom, Holly plays a vital role in the daily operations of Lil’ Sprouts, assisting with administrative tasks and mentoring fellow toddler staff members. She is passionate about early childhood development and finds joy in the enthusiasm and curiosity of her students.
Outside of Lil’ Sprouts, Holly is a wife, mother of three adult daughters—one of whom is a certified educator and two who are assistant teachers at Lil’ Sprouts—and a rescue dog mom to Max.
Ms. Sandra, Toddler Teacher
Sandra is a dedicated Toddler Teacher with over 20 years of experience in early childhood education. She holds a Child Development Associate Credential in Infant and Toddler Development and is committed to helping young learners grow emotionally, socially, and physically.
As a bilingual educator, she communicates with students and staff in both English and Spanish, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Outside of Lil’ Sprouts, Sandra is a proud boy mom and a dog mom to her fur-baby Rocky.
Ms. Sheila, Pre-School Teacher
Sheila is our Preschool teacher and is currently pursuing a degree in Childhood Education at Westchester Community College. As a bilingual educator, she communicates with students and staff in both English and Spanish, fostering an inclusive learning environment.
Sheila is gaining hands-on experience in early childhood education at Lil’ Sprouts, where she creates a nurturing and exciting space for her students to learn and grow.
She is a newlywed and has a background in music, previously performing as a singer in a Spanish rock band.
Mr. Daniel, Pre-K Assistant Teacher & Music and Movement Instructor
Daniel is an assistant teacher in our Pre-K classroom and a talented self-taught musician. He shares his passion for music with students by leading Music and Movement classes every Tuesday and Thursday.
Through music, he encourages self-expression, imagination, and gross motor development while helping students build confidence, expand vocabulary, and develop cooperation skills.