Interview by Kelly Postiglione. Photos by Kate Hart Finnigan.
This week’s Meet a Mom Monday interview is with Abbey Lombardo-Kumar, founder of Learn’ique! Abbey is an early childhood educator, children’s space designer, and the creative force behind some of the most thoughtfully designed children’s environments in our community. You can enjoy her work in the Discovery Zone at the Rye Free Reading Room, and coming soon, at the Westchester Children’s Museum! In addition to community space design, Abbey also offers residential playroom organization and design services.
At her Studio location she offers “Early Foundation Pods” where babies and toddlers can participate in a thoughtfully designed school-year learning experience, providing the consistency of a traditional early childhood program, within the warmth and personalized attention of a small-group setting. They are currently enrolling for September 2026!
Abbey is also excited to announce the opening of a brand-new Open Play Space right next door to Learn’ique’s existing location. This exciting expansion allows the Learn’ique community to continue to grow while creating even more opportunities for children and their families to connect, explore, and learn together! We loved hearing more about her innovative approach to early childhood education, the importance of the earliest years, and the exciting new offerings coming to Learn’ique.
Now enrolling for September 2026! Schedule a tour here.
What inspired you to start Learn’ique, and why did you choose to focus on early childhood?
I’ve spent over 20 years in early childhood education, and I’ve always believed that the earliest years are the most powerful and impactful. Learn’ique was born from my desire to create an environment where learning feels joyful, hands-on, and deeply intentional. I wanted children to feel seen, capable, and inspired. I wanted to develop curriculum and environments that combined direct instruction with discovery play, as I genuinely believe the magic comes from finding the balance between the two. As early childhood educators, we have the opportunity to inspire confidence, curiosity, and foundational skills in our young learners. This is both a privilege and a responsibility that I take very seriously. Everything else flows from there!
You welcome children as young as 18 months old into your drop-off classes. Why is that age such an important time for learning and development?
Eighteen months is such a magical window! Language is exploding, independence is emerging, and the motivation to explore is at its peak. At this age, children soak in their experiences and build valuable brain connections through movement, repetition, sensory exploration, and play. When we provide rich, engaging experiences that include fine motor work, early literacy exposure, sensory exploration, music, movement, and social interaction, we actually support cognitive connections that will enhance learning for years to come. It’s not about academics; it’s about building the foundation, and the joy and love for learning. As a side note, we are now also offering Parent & Caregiver classes for children as young as 6 months old!
Your newly developed “Learning Labs” are designed to meet the developmental needs of children ranging in age from 6 months-5 years old. What distinguishes these offerings from other programs?
Our Learning Labs are thoughtfully designed to grow with your child from 6 months-5 years. What makes them different is how intentionally each stage is supported by our learning goals and curriculum. The rare combination of intimacy, expert space design, and a clear developmental pathway is truly unique. Our Baby Labs focus on connection, inviting parents and caregivers to participate in each session with their child. This helps to support developmental understanding, while also building community with other parents and caregivers. Our Toddler Labs offer a gentle and small-group separation experience. With only eight children in each small group, we have the ability to create a calm and nurturing first step into social interaction, daily routines, and hands-on exploration. Our Learning Labs run consistently from September-May, and we are currently enrolling for the 2026-2027 program year. Please check out our website for registration details!
What are some of the biggest benefits you see for children who start programs at a young age?
The biggest benefits I see center around early-learner confidence and social-emotional growth. Children who begin more structured programs earlier learn to hone valuable skills, such as separating from parents & caregivers, engaging appropriately with peers, following basic directions and routines, and expressing themselves more confidently. Another important piece is that when children begin programs earlier, we have the opportunity to really observe how they learn best. If children and families need additional support, we can gently guide them, and provide resources in real time. Having that early insight can have a huge impact on overall development. When children feel capable and successful early on, that confidence carries through.
Congratulations on your new Open Play Space! Tell us more about it, and what you are most excited to bring to life with this new offering.
Thank you so much! I’m incredibly proud and excited to announce this next chapter. My hope is that our new open play space will only enhance what families have come to know and love about Learn’ique! The new space is thoughtfully designed and intentionally layered for both structured and open-ended learning. There will be daily opportunities for sensory play, art, building, dramatic play, gross motor movement, and more! In addition to our open play space, please check out our enrichment classes, holiday workshops, birthday parties, and Mommy-and-Me classes. We are very grateful for this opportunity to grow, and to continue creating meaningful connections with the families we serve.
The design of your play spaces always feels thoughtful and intentional. How does your background in education influence the way you create learning environments?
To be honest, the impact of the physical space on child development has always been deeply connected for me. In the early stages of my career, while working as a classroom lead, I always designed my environments to function as the “third teacher.” I think about lighting, materials, flow, accessibility, and how children physically move through a space. I choose natural textures, calming color palettes, and purposeful organization so children feel regulated and inspired. The structure of a space can either overwhelm a child or help them to feel calm, confident and successful. It’s so important that learning is accessible and supportive for children with a wide range of diverse needs.
Tell us about the local spots you have designed spaces for!
I’ve had the privilege of designing a variety of different children’s spaces over the past 15 years. I have most recently been engaged in some community-based and commercial projects that have led to some very exciting opportunities! In 2024 I led the transformation of the children’s Discovery Zone at the Rye Free Reading Room. Currently I am working on the redesign of the Toddler Beach Exhibit at the Westchester Children’s Museum. I feel so blessed to apply what I have learned over the years as a residential designer, and educator, to larger projects that can impact a wider-ranging audience. I genuinely love collaborating with community partners to create unique, fun and engaging spaces!
Many moms struggle with setting up organized and engaging play spaces at home. Do you offer guidance for residential spaces, and what is one simple tip you would give families looking to refresh their play areas?
Yes! I do offer guidance for residential play spaces through our uniquely trademarked Design-to-Learn services. It is so rewarding for me when I am able to help families create calmer, more functional, and less stressful home environments. You can access our design and organizational services in a few different ways. Whether you need help with organizing and clean-up, furniture solutions, or a complete overhaul of your space, our Design-to-Learn services can meet your needs. Please visit our website to schedule an initial consultation with us, or to book one of our popular “24-hr Playroom Makeovers!” Schedule A Playroom Makeover!
One simple tip that I would share is to simplify intentionally. Parents often think that they need more space or more toys, but in reality, children tend to engage less meaningfully in large and overstimulating spaces. Children engage more deeply when they have fewer, and more thoughtfully displayed options. Select storage units with open shelving, clear bins with lids that can be easily labeled, and group materials by category. When everything has a designated location, children are more likely to play and clean up independently, which eliminates stress and overwhelm for parents and caregivers!
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