- Overview
- Programs
- Our Team
- Reviews
- Schedule Options
About Habitots Preschool in Medford
Appointed with state-of-the-art security equipment and meticulously maintained, Habitots is beautiful, safe, and efficient. Throughout the halls and classrooms, you will find caring, hard-working, knowledgeable, and simply incredible, certified staff, all of whom love what they do.
Our Preschool Programs
Habitots is so much more than daycare or childcare. We are proud to provide an exceptional preschool education every fun-filled day in a place as nurturing as home.
- Infants
- Toddlers
- Preschool
- Pre-K
- School Age
- Summer Camp
Our Philosophy
Children are born ready to learn. The desire to discover and absorb is never more concentrated than during the first five years of life—and we only get one chance to do it right. We know that your decision to entrust your child’s early education to someone is a momentous one, and a privilege that is earned and should never be taken for granted.
That’s why at Habitots, our goals are to create a welcoming environment that reflects each child’s family, interests, cultures and differing abilities; build a warm relationship with every family that becomes a part of ours; and offer learning opportunities that stretch what every child knows about themselves and their capabilities.
At Habitots, we believe that:
- Every child is unique, and a “one size fits all” approach to learning ultimately fits none.
- Teaching children should not come from a place of ego or dictation. Adults in their lives should work cooperatively with one another as partners in their development.
- Learning happens through play and reinforcement of teachable moments during a process that includes awareness, exploration, inquiry, and application.
- To teach, we must first truly understand children, how they develop, and strategize on how to encourage and affirm their blossoming.
These are some of the wonderful things our families have said about our school:
- “The teachers are like no other school. They are caring and compassionate. Everyone from the Director down is helpful and welcoming. My daughter’s teacher, Ms. Jackie, is wonderful, and Ms. Casey helped my daughter come out of her shell and become the social butterfly she is today.”
- “We use the Medford location and they’ve been incredibly accommodating, professional, friendly, and they go the extra mile for our family. We love the little projects our son Elliott does, including the most recent Mother’s Day present. We know he’s well taken care of, and I like how everything is logged and documented. As silly as it sounded for them to require a document to be filled out for diaper cream, I appreciate that they take their matters seriously.”
- “The teachers are amazing! Directors are kind and caring. Great staff!”
Getting To Our Preschool
Our Medford center is located at 703 Patchogue-Yaphank Rd, Medford, NY 11763, near Long Island Avenue. We are conveniently close to Tremont Elementary School and Twelve Pines Park, making morning drop-offs and daily routines seamless for neighborhood families.
Situated minutes from the Long Island Expressway (I-495) and Sunrise Highway, our center provides a quick commute toward Patchogue, Ronkonkoma, or greater Suffolk County.
Programs Offered
Our Team
Elena Saitta
School Director
Elena Saitta is the School Director at HabiTots, bringing over a decade of experience in early childhood education to her role. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from East Stroudsburg University and her Master’s degree from Touro College, with a focus on Special Education and Early Childhood Literacy. Elena began her career in 2013 as a childcare provider, grew into a Teacher’s Assistant, and advanced into leadership as an Assistant Director. In 2021, she helped open a childcare center, where she served as Director and Co-Owner before beginning this exciting next chapter at HabiTots.
Elena is passionate about making a positive difference in children’s lives during their most important years of development. She loves watching children grow, discover new things, and build confidence, and she is dedicated to creating a safe, loving, and nurturing environment where every child feels valued, supported, and excited to learn. She believes strong relationships with children, families, and staff are the foundation of a successful school, and she loves bringing creativity, laughter, and a little bit of fun into each day. Outside of work, Elena enjoys time with family and friends, her French Bulldog, Luna, and boat and beach days in the summer. She is also a huge New York Islanders fan who loves heading to games with her dad.
Kathie DeJesus
Assistant Director
I’m Kathie DeJesus, the Assistant Director of Habitots Childcare Preschool in Medford, N.Y. I’ve dedicated over 20 years to supporting children, families, and staff in our school community. Over the years, I’ve developed a deep understanding of our center’s operations and take pride in offering steady leadership, especially during times of transition. I’m known for being reliable and professional, and I value the strong relationships I’ve built with my colleagues. Most of all, I’m passionate about creating a nurturing, supportive environment for the children and families in my care, and I find great fulfillment in helping them thrive.
Judy Nunez
Teacher of the Year
I am of Dominican descent and was born and raised on Long Island, New York. I’m a proud mother of three wonderful boys, ages 15, 12, and 9, who keep me on my toes and fill my life with joy.
In March 2025, I will celebrate one year of earning my Child Development Associate (CDA) credential in Infant and Toddler Development, a milestone I am incredibly proud of. My passion for teaching and caring for children began early in life, caring for my nieces, nephews, and neighbors’ children. I believe that every child is unique and deserves a safe, secure, loving, and nurturing environment where they can grow, explore, and become confident in who they are. As an educator, I strive each day to be the best teacher and caregiver I can be, and to help instill a lifelong love of learning in each child I work with. Outside of work, I love cooking, cleaning, enjoying the outdoors, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Reviews from Parents
Habitots Preschool & Child Care Center, Medford
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Childcare Schedule Options That Work With Your Life
Every family’s routine is unique — and your childcare should be too. With Cadence Education, our Family of Schools may offer various schedule options designed to fit your life.
Each of our school’s are unique, and may not offer all of the options listed below. Talk with your School Director to learn what options are available for your family at this location.
FlexiPass — New Flexible Care Option!
When schedules change, or the grandparents cancel, or life just gets busy, FlexiPass gives you five prepaid days of care that you can use whenever* you need them, one at a time or all at once. No registration fees. No ongoing tuition. Just dependable care when you need it most.
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