Mr. Zee pictured in her classroom in front of students' costumes
Inside Mrs. Zee’s classroom. Art corner and children’s tables
Mrs. Zee decorations outside of her classroom and schedule
Front part of Mrs. Zee’s classroom including toys for kids and pictures.
Some of Mrs. Zee’s students on Valentine's Day. Pictured from left: Kai, 4 and a half years old; Phoenix, 3 years old; Emma, 3 years old. Photo courtesy of Zee DeGregory.
HOBART – In the heart of the “Book Village of the Catskills,” a small but vibrant arts education program is helping local children bloom creatively. Little Flowers Art Enrichment Center, founded and run by longtime caregiver and educator Zulema “Zee” DeGregory — known to students and families as “Mrs. Zee” — offers young children a welcoming space grounded in art, movement and self-expression.
Little Flowers serves children primarily ages 2.5 to 5, providing morning programs that blend music, visual art, movement and imaginative play. Daily programs begin at 8:30-9 a.m. and run until dismissal at 11:30 a.m.
The center draws inspiration from both Montessori and Waldorf educational philosophies, emphasizing individuality, hands-on learning and a connection to nature. From Little Flowers’ mission statement, the center’s goal is that students “leave with a day full of enrichment that is fun, gets them moving their wiggles out, and has time for their individual expression!”
DeGregory said the idea for Little Flowers grew out of years of working with children and a desire to create something of her own.
“I did a pilot at the Roxbury Arts center. I was able to do music with the kids, and everyone had a little station. And all the parents were so, so excited,” she explained. “And I was like, ‘I have to take a chance’,” leading her to develop her own space in nearby Hobart.
At Little Flowers, guided activities are balanced with ample room for creative freedom — an approach DeGregory believes is especially important in early childhood.
“With early child development, everything that you learn at such a young age sticks with you. Yes, we do guided activities. And yes, there are structured moments. But just to have that freedom” is encouraging for young learners DeGregory said, “because we are so stifled.”
She added, “And I was able to just see the differences with children that are having those tough moments, where they weren’t allowed to just express [themselves]. And then all of a sudden when they were allowed to” the change was eye-opening, she said.
That philosophy has had tangible effects on the Hobart area children she works with. DeGregory shared the story of Eva, a student who entered the program shy and speaking only Russian.
“When she first started, she was very scared. She actually just spoke Russian. She did not speak English. So, I worked with her on that. I ended up getting these little cards that would say words in Russian and in English.” DeGregory continued: “When she first came in, she didn’t want to do [participate]. But what I love to do in my program is, I allow the parents to stay a little bit. You know, until they’re comfortable to leave. And [with Eva’s parent present] she slowly started getting comfortable, then she would slowly come to the table and work. And she gets such delight now. She’s progressed so much.”
The classroom in the center’s 8 Pine Street location itself reflects that child-centered approach, its walls and shelves filled with artwork created by the students. During a recent visit, DeGregory pointed out handmade paper lambs, noting that perfection is never the goal, rather the children creating meaning and gaining agency are most important.
DeGregory loves to sing to her students, as she believes rhythm and dancing can relieve children from stress. “Me showing them how to move their bodies and how to feel and react” is transformative, she claimed.
She also believes in the power of yoga, both as a form of exercise and as an educational tool. “We do a lot of yoga, breathing, and meditation with our kiddos. I facilitate most of that because I want them to know that they always have that space for themselves and just to feel good.”
Another distinguishing feature of Little Flowers is its close collaboration with families. DeGregory works with parents to create schedules that fit each child’s needs, offering flexible enrollment options, including full-week, part-week and drop-in care. The facility even features a remote workspace next door to the classroom, giving parents a space to work nearby while their kids learn and play.
Families interested in enrolling can visit littleflowerslearn.com, where registration is open year-round. Little Flowers offers a variety of schedules. “I offer a 2-day, a 3-day, and a full week,” DeGregory said, explaining that she wants parents to feel comfortable with the program and be able enroll kids for trial periods if needed, as well as to find a program that lines up with their personal schedule and lifestyle. In addition, if families are in need of financial assistance, DeGregory will work with them to come up with a plan. Parents can review the daily schedule and contact DeGregory directly through the website.
As Little Flowers continues to grow, DeGregory remains focused on what first inspired her: giving children a place to express themselves fully and confidently in their earliest years.
This story was created by student reporters through the OnNY Community Media Lab, a program of SUNY Oneonta and the SUNY Institut
e for Local News.
