Mrs Zee (Zulema DeGregory) plays with Inula Nunziata Crisafulli McLaughlin at The Creative Early Childhood Music & Movement Arts Enrichment Program at the Hobart Activity Center.
By Mary A. Crisafulli
HOBART—One thing that can be challenging for parents, especially in the country, is childcare options. Well, Hobart welcomed a new center: The Creative Early Childhood Music & Movement Arts Enrichment Program at the Hobart Activity Center at 8 Pine Street.
Zulema DeGregory - known to the littles as Mrs Zee - embedded her curriculum with Waldorf and Montessori concepts. Both education techniques focus on educating the whole child through a holistic approach with hands-on learning and arts. Learning will happen in small segments and move at a pace ideal for each individual, explained Zulema. The classroom will be flexible for each child and include a lot of music and arts, she added.
Mrs. Zee has over 24 years of experience in education working for both Stamford and Charlotte Valley districts, Schoharie Children Center, and most recently at Sissy's Little Lambs Children's Center in Oneonta. Zulema got her first job in early education at the Gingerbread Learning Center on Staten Island, where she is from. After securing that job, Zulema said, "I Knew I had this little nack for working with children, I just felt like I was home." From there her experience blossomed. Zulema also holds an infant yoga instruction certification and was a co-founder of the popular Early Childhood Arts Enrichment Program with Miss Pam.
After Sissy's Little Lambs had to shut down in 2022, Zulema slowly recognized a great need for childcare options in the area. Despite having some fears about becoming an entrepreneur, Mrs Zee said, "I just closed my eyes and said I'm gonna do this because I know there is a need." Zulema first held a free yoga program at Roxbury Headwaters Arts Center that gave her the "energy to say I could do this."
"I'ts been a wonderful reminder for me of what I have done and what I can continue to do and help in the community and our local families," she said, "It's just giving another option so families can make different decisions and different choices for their families."
The program opened its doors in April after working with the village to rent and rejuvenate space at the Hobart Activity Center. "It's an old building that needs to have children in it and needs movement," she said. The structure once was home to The Pumpkin School over 30 years ago, Zulema explained, "It has been historic in that way."
Since opening, she has hosted a pilot program and summer Saturday drop-off or parent-and-me sessions. The final two Saturday classes will be held on the 24th and 31st at 10 a.m. On the 24th, Mrs Zee is hosting an open house and picture day for littles. Anyone is welcome to come see the space, said Zulema. Photos are $10 for digital and $5 after the first.
The full-time program runs from September to June for ages 3 to 5 with 2-year-olds learning to potty train or already trained accepted too. The program runs from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday at $150 a week or Monday through Wednesday for $90 a week.
Zulema hopes to care for the family as a whole by offering a remote workspace next door to the children's room. The space is quiet, with a few desks and local artisan's work on display.
In the future, Zulema hopes to open up a teen program once a week for yoga or dance movement in the future.
To register or ask questions contact Mrs Zee at 607-353-2397 or zeedegregory@gmail.com. For more information find them on Facebook.
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