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happyhappenshere.

From Infant through preschool, we make early education and daycare joyful, engaging and fun so children are happy to learn, play and grow.

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Curriculum that develops the whole child

Our L.E.A.P.® (Learning Experience Academic Program) Curriculum uses fun, hands-on activities throughout early education to help children develop intellectually, socially and cognitively. Or as we say, to learn, play and grow.

Learn More About Our Curriculum

Characters that bring learning to life

Children love learning from characters—and studies show that it’s highly effective especially in preschool and early education. TLE® has a cast of unique, beloved characters, each one teaching children a new value or activity.

Bubbles and Friends Theme Song

261K subscribers and 60,480,577 views

Grace & Charity

Our dynamic doggy duo introduces the importance of being generous and giving.

Bubbles

Our lovable friend who takes you on a daily adventure that makes kids happy to learn, play and grow.

Lionstein®

Our wise and creative scientist who makes science fun and exciting.

Phoebe

Our literature loving llama makes reading fun.

Two Plus Toucan

Our creative mathematician helps explore the joys of math.

Penny

Our well-mannered etiquette coach demonstrates the importance of being helpful, honest, and kind.

Sonar

Our adventurous submarine reveals the many wonders of the underwater world.

Pablo

Our creative and artsy pig helps children discover the beauty of self-expression.

Gibby

Our kind-hearted, hard-of-hearing gibbon loves to share his passion for sign language and promoting inclusivity.

Meet our TLE® Center team

Christa Benevenia

Owner/ Operations

Favorite TLE® Character: Penny Polite

Christa Benevenia

Owner/ Operations

Favorite TLE® Character: Penny Polite

I have spent the last 20 + years of my life serving families in the field of Early Childhood Education. I started my career here in NYC as a graduate student and teacher at Teachers College/ Columbia University teaching preschool while earning my Masters Degree in Developmental Psychology and Early Childhood Study. This led to a career as a center director, regional director, and regional manager overseeing childcare centers in the tri-state area. During this time, I also am blessed to be a mother of 5! Two years ago I took the steps to fulfil my life long dream of owning my own school. It is with a full heart and experienced mind that I welcome families to my pride and joy...The Throggs Neck TLE!

Meet Ms.Crystal

Education Director

Favorite TLE® Character: Bongo Bear

Meet Ms.Crystal

Education Director

Favorite TLE® Character: Bongo Bear

Meet the girl who brings the energy and passion to TLE of Throggs Neck. This experienced, bilingual educator put her all into everything she does. She has an extensive education background including working with children with special needs. She joined TLE Throggs Neck just one month after opening day and continues to grow the school and create a huge impact in our community. She enjoys traveling and is a foodie!

Meet Ms.Crystal

Education Director

Favorite TLE® Character: Bongo Bear

Meet Ms.Crystal

Education Director

Favorite TLE® Character: Bongo Bear

Meet the girl who brings the energy and passion to TLE of Throggs Neck. This experienced, bilingual educator put her all into everything she does. She has an extensive education background including working with children with special needs. She joined TLE Throggs Neck just one month after opening day and continues to grow the school and create a huge impact in our community. She enjoys traveling and is a foodie!

Ms.Raquel

Curriculum Director

Favorite TLE® Character: Penny Polite

Ms.Raquel

Curriculum Director

Favorite TLE® Character: Penny Polite

Meet Ms. Raquel!

Christa Benevenia

Owner/ Operations

Favorite TLE® Character: Penny Polite

Christa Benevenia

Owner/ Operations

Favorite TLE® Character: Penny Polite

I have spent the last 20 + years of my life serving families in the field of Early Childhood Education. I started my career here in NYC as a graduate student and teacher at Teachers College/ Columbia University teaching preschool while earning my Masters Degree in Developmental Psychology and Early Childhood Study. This led to a career as a center director, regional director, and regional manager overseeing childcare centers in the tri-state area. During this time, I also am blessed to be a mother of 5! Two years ago I took the steps to fulfil my life long dream of owning my own school. It is with a full heart and experienced mind that I welcome families to my pride and joy...The Throggs Neck TLE!

Ms.Danielle

Toddler Lead Teacher

Favorite TLE® Character: Miss Chievous

Ms.Danielle

Toddler Lead Teacher

Favorite TLE® Character: Miss Chievous

Meet Ms.Danielle! ....and once you do you will be in love with this sweet soul forever. Ms.Danielle joined our staff with over 5 years of experience. She is proud to be in college studying Early Childhood Education. Her personality is bubbly and sweet, and she is not only a family favorite but loved by all her co-workers. She puts her heart into all she does! We are so lucky she is part of our team!

Ms.Chassity

Infant Teacher

Favorite TLE® Character: Grace Charity

Ms.Chassity

Infant Teacher

Favorite TLE® Character: Grace Charity

Meet Ms. Chassity! Chassity joined our team new to the world of group childcare. She started off floating as a support staff working in all our classrooms. As her time progressed in our center, she FELL IN LOVE with the baby room. She began her training in Infant care and instantly was a natural. She has an incredible instinct with babies and her calm and soothing disposition makes her a perfect fit to our infant program. We are so happy she has found her passion here with us!

Ms. Kathy

Infant

Favorite TLE® Character: Penny Polite

Ms. Kathy

Infant

Favorite TLE® Character: Penny Polite

I only wish that a picture could sing because that is what you would hear this tender, loving and creative Infant Teacher doing all day! Ms. Kathy is a highly experience Infant caregiver as well as early childhood educator. She is certain the children's days are filled with sign language, stories, songs, art, literacy and most of all LOVE! This mom is a ROCKSTAR in our infant program, and we all adore her!

Ms.Shada

Bulletin Board Winner of the Month!

Favorite TLE® Character: Bubbles

Ms.Shada

Bulletin Board Winner of the Month!

Favorite TLE® Character: Bubbles

Meet Ms. Shada! Sometimes a picture speaks a thousand words and this one of her truly highlights who this teacher is. This devoted mom and educator is the perfect balance of a loving teacher! She is currently in school in pursuit of her Masters Degree and makes everyday a special one for all our Little Learners! Ms Shada is also the Bulletin Board of the Month winner!

Ms. Amanda

Center Administrator

Favorite TLE® Character: Penny Polite

Ms. Amanda

Center Administrator

Favorite TLE® Character: Penny Polite

Meet Ms. Amanda! This infant teacher and proud mom is a true joy in our infant program .From teaching our children sign language to singing and dancing our classroom is filled with genuine love from her all day long! Ms. Amanda is also the proud recipient of the Bulleting Board of the Month in our school! Her hard work and dedication to our school make her a parent's dream!

Ms. Kolondro

Twaddler Teacher

Favorite TLE® Character: Lionstein

Ms. Kolondro

Twaddler Teacher

Favorite TLE® Character: Lionstein

This class is our busiest of two years olds and in the middle of it all is always Ms. Kolondro. She works hard every day to make a fun and interactive day for all her children. This mother of 2 knows the importance of a loving and creative classroom where all different learning techniques work. She puts her heart into all she does and often tell the parents - I will treat your child just like I would my very own. We are so blessed to have her be a part of our team. She has been with us since the building opened!

Meet Ms, Dharla

Twaddler Teacher

Favorite TLE® Character: Pablo Pigasso

Meet Ms, Dharla

Twaddler Teacher

Favorite TLE® Character: Pablo Pigasso

The moment you meet Ms. Dharla you will feel welcome. This bilingual mom and experienced Twaddler teachers fills her room with warmth and love. Her balance of curriculum, classroom structure and love make her classroom a place our little learners love to be! Ms. Dharla has earned her associate degree and is pursuing further education. She is also first aid, CPR and epi-pen certified. We are so lucky to have her with us!

Ms.Genea

Prepper teacher

Favorite TLE® Character: Penny Polite

Ms.Genea

Prepper teacher

Favorite TLE® Character: Penny Polite

Ms.Genea is the teacher you dream your child gets while they are in school. This educator and mom brings a motherly touch to all she does. Her classroom is full of predictability and creativity. You can often find this teacher reading with her children and sharing fun sign language lessons. She is a dedicated teacher who makes happy happen every day in her room!

Ms.Ana

Prepper Teacher

Favorite TLE® Character: Penny Polite

Ms.Ana

Prepper Teacher

Favorite TLE® Character: Penny Polite

Meet Ms.Ana! Ms. Ana is what we mean when we say HAPPY HAPPENS HERE! This educator and mother is currently finishing her degree in Education. Her classroom is a home to children learning through play and thriving around her constant enrichment and curriculum. Ana puts her heart into her job every single day. Our center is better because of the job she does. Our parents and our children feel so blessed to have her part of their early childhood experience.

Ms. Dionne

Prepper Teacher

Favorite TLE® Character: Gibby Gibson

Ms. Dionne

Prepper Teacher

Favorite TLE® Character: Gibby Gibson

Meet Ms. Dionne! This amazing educator and mom is an amazing teacher who creates a classroom for all children to learn, play and grow! She has earned our TEACHER OF THE MONTH award and is always willing to go the extra mile for all our families. She is adored by all her know her and is truly the reason why HAPPY HAPPENS HERE!

Ms.Sydney

Preschool 2

Favorite TLE® Character: Lionstein

Ms.Sydney

Preschool 2

Favorite TLE® Character: Lionstein

Meet Ms. Sydney! This amazing educator and Mom joined our preschool program with the experience, fortitude and passion that makes her preschool room unlike others. Sydney has her BA and is currently in graduate school earning her master's degree in early childhood education with an emphasis on Special Education. Ms. Sydney's room is a place our little learners thrive and are challenged in an environment that is full of joy, routine and creativity.

Ms.Isabella

Support Staff

Favorite TLE® Character: Sonar

Ms.Isabella

Support Staff

Favorite TLE® Character: Sonar

Meet Ms.Isabella! Isabella is a college student who began working for our center when we first opened. Isabella is a support role in our center helping not only cover lunch breaks, but you can find her helping in our Infant and Toddler rooms at the end of the evening. Isabella has a willingness to learn and a passion for children. You instantly feel her genuine kindness and our parents and children just adore her!

Many ways to stay connected

We offer an easy-to-use smartphone app and an array of ways to help you stay connected.

Monthly newsletters and invitations to our community events

Monthly calendars

Everyday photos of your little learner

Blog to help you stay with the current trends

Notifications of your child’s learning activities

Social media

Upcoming events

27
September

Back to School Zoom Night

A special day to MEET your CHILD'S teachers and review the new school year. Open to Infant, Toddler, Twaddler, Prepper and Preschool Parents. Zoom links will be sent in your Bubbles and Friends App.

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Schedule a Tour