Ryemarkable Abbey Lombardo-Kumar

Name: Abbey Lombardo-Kumar

Family info: I’m a mom of three—I have twin boys, Cade and KJ, who are  9 and my daughter, Arya, is 6. They are most definitely my reason…it’s really important to me that they believe they can achieve their dreams if they’re willing to work hard. I try my best to lead by example as a “mompreneur!” 

Pets: Our newest family member is a leopard gecko named Geiki. They wanted a dog, but settled for a cute little lizard instead! Believe it or not he’s exceptionally sweet, and affectionate. 

Name and description of your Organization/Business: Learn’ique (Early Learning & Design Studio)

Tell us about yourself and family?

I’m an educator, entrepreneur, designer, and, most importantly, a mom of three. I’ve essentially spent the past 25 years of my life working with young children and their families. I began as a camp counselor, before becoming a classroom teacher, school administrator, and most notably the founder of Learn’ique. In my limited free time I enjoy taking hot yoga classes, going for walks outdoors, and anything that brings me closer to nature….specifically the ocean. 

As a mom in a single-parent household, the daily routine can often feel overwhelming. However I try my best to create a space where my kids will feel safe and seen. Nothing makes me happier than supporting them in doing the things that they love. My boys are passionate about sports…especially soccer, football, basketball, and golf. My daughter loves dancing, singing, and taking care of animals. Being their mom is truly the most important role I will ever play.

How would you describe your work?

My work really has two interconnected sides, both centered around enriching the way that young children learn, play, and experience the world around them. At my Studio location in Rye, I create thoughtfully designed, hands-on learning curriculum for young children. Our programs offer a balance of early literacy, STEAM, art, cooking, movement, music, sensory exploration, and creative play  in a  way that feels natural and engaging, rather than overly academic. After 25  years working with young children and families, in a variety of different settings, I’ve learned that the most meaningful learning happens when children are given the opportunity to feel safe and seen,  to explore, to create, and to connect meaningfully within their environments. 

This thought on child development is what actually inspired my Design-to-Learn services.

Years ago, while pursuing my graduate degree in educational leadership, I decided to focus my dissertation on the role that the physical environment plays as “teacher” in the classroom. As a result of my research, which included a brief stint interning with a children’s design firm in NYC,  I was able to prove my main hypothesis. Children thrive in physical environments that are organized, stimulating and intentional. Over the past 15 years, I have been blessed to apply my understanding of child development and my coursework in environmental design, to create a multitude of intentional spaces both residentially and corporately. I have most recently been working with schools, libraries, and museums. These larger scale projects have encouraged and inspired me to think outside of the box, in an effort to meet the diverse learning needs and interests of children within he larger community. I consider this work both a privilege and a responsibility. Nothing brings me greater joy than imagining, conceptualizing and executing aesthetically beautiful, and educationally sound spaces for children and their families to enjoy!

Before working on this, what was your career? 

I have always been an educator at heart, and I knew very early on that it was what I wanted to do when I grew up! I earned my Bachelor’s degree from Manhattanville University in English Literature and Early Childhood Education, followed by a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Prior to completing my studies, I  had the pivotal experience of working for a non-profit organization called The Women and Families Center. This state-funded program was designed to support young mothers as they worked to build greater stability, and independence for themselves and their children. That experience had a lasting impact on me as it instilled the meaningful difference that you can make during the most foundational years of a child’s life. At that point, I would say that it became, not just a career choice, but a calling. 

Over the course of my years in the field I have worked as a lead preschool teacher, and a school administrator in both Westchester and NYC. There was also a brief, 18-month period where I left education to work as an executive assistant to the owner of a luxury car company. Apparently, the high-end car dealership track wasn’t for me. However, having this experience helped to solidify what I probably already knew—working with children was where I ultimately belonged!

What inspired you to start Learn’ique and how is it expanding?

I’ve spent nearly 25 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 meaningful curriculum and intentional environments that combined direct instruction with discovery play.  I genuinely believe the magic comes from finding the balance between the two. As an  early childhood educator, I genuinely believe in my ability to inspire confidence, curiosity, and foundational skills. I feel blessed to be able to do what I love, and everything else flows from there!

As far as expansion, we recently opened a new space directly adjacent to the location that we’ve maintained on Purchase Street for the past 15 years. Having the additional space gives us the opportunity to broaden our offerings as we work to keep things interesting and engaging for the families that we serve. The new space will provide opportunities for open play, child-and-caregiver classes, birthday parties, workshops and community engagement. 

We’re also developing an intimate, “pod-style” learning program for children ages 3-7, which we plan to pilot in early February 2027. The idea is to create a small-group, home-like learning environment where children can build strong foundations in literacy and early mathematics while also participating in hands-on enrichment experiences in areas related to STEAM, art, cooking, music, movement, creative play, etc.. We’re hoping this new program will appeal to homeschooling families, and to those who are simply looking for their child to receive targeted foundational skills, while participating in rich, hands-on enrichment experiences, in a less traditional “school” environment. 

Finally, if you can’t get enough of Learn’ique, you can also find us at Rye Library’s “Discovery Zone” where we offer enrichment programming, Monday-Friday, from 3-6pm.  

What do you believe our community’s youngest children need most in order to learn, explore, and thrive?  

I think that young children need something that is becoming increasingly rare. They need open-ended time, space, and permission to play. 

We know that children are naturally curious little beings. They want to investigate, experiment, build, move, create, and figure things out for themselves. I think our role as teacher, parent or caregiver is not always to lead that process, but rather to create environments that support it. When we provide children with engaging and intentionally designed spaces, we encourage them to take initiative, and to see themselves as capable learners. 

I also think children need meaningful opportunities for connection. They need spaces where they can learn alongside other children, and where communities can slow down, and genuinely engage with one another. I genuinely believe that is what makes designing community spaces like libraries and museums so powerful. They can facilitate experiences that bring children from all walks of life together to organically learn from each other, while simultaneously building a sense of community. 

What have these projects taught you about the power of play, creativity, and community in a child’s development?

These projects have reinforced something I have always believed about young children. Play isn’t separate from learning. For young children, play IS learning! 

In this fast-paced world, it feels like we are constantly trying to direct and entertain children, which can lead to overwhelm and over-scheduling. It is important to remember that some of the most meaningful learning happens when we thoughtfully create opportunities for independent discovery and exploration. 

That has been one of my favorite things to observe through my design work. We can design a space with very specific developmental intentions in mind, but then a child comes along, and uses it in a way that we never expected!  These moments serve as a reminder that children are incredibly capable, and creative thinkers. Our job isn’t always to show them what to do, but rather, to give them a space worth exploring, and allow them to take the lead. I can’t wait for people to come and experience this through our newly designed exhibit at the Westchester Children’s Museum! 

Any details about upcoming events and how can the Rye community help?

We have some exciting things on the horizon, so I would encourage families to follow @learniquestudio on Instagram, and visit our website for upcoming events, class descriptions, playspace design, vacation camps, birthday party bookings, and other opportunities to experience what we’re creating.

The Rye community has been so good to Learn’ique over the past 15 years, and I don’t take that for granted. Whether it’s enrolling in a program, booking a play space consultation, attending an event, or simply telling a friend about us, we hope that families will continue to show up for our small business! When a family chooses us, it allows us to keep creating, evolving, and employing amazing local educators. In turn, we pour right back into the community that supports us. It’s total reciprocity! 

What do you love most about what you do?

What I love most is watching children discover how capable they are! This is why I am so passionate about creating thoughtful environments, providing meaningful learning experiences, and giving children just the right amount of support to take initiative, and to believe in themselves. 

Additionally, being an entrepreneur has given me the privilege to have an idea, and bring it to life! After all this time, I still get excited when I see a child benefiting from something that we’ve created. The combination of my passions coming together…education, creativity, art & design…it feels serendipitous sometimes. That doesn’t mean the life of an entrepreneur is always sunshine & rainbows, but there’s something incredibly rewarding about knowing that even the hard days are meant to strengthen something you’ve built from the ground up. 

What is the biggest challenge you face, and how do you manage it?

One of my biggest professional challenges has been learning that I can’t possibly do everything myself. When you build a business from the ground up, especially one that you’ve poured so much of your time and money into, it can be very difficult to trust and to delegate. For most of my time in business, I’ve been an educator, administrator, designer, problem solver, marketer, human resources manager and honestly…everything in between! 

As Learn’ique is evolving, I’m trying to evolve with it. Over the years my interests have broadened, and I’m constantly thinking about new pathways that will lead to continued growth. The challenge has been finding the time to step away from some of the day-to-day responsibilities, so that I have the space to do more of the visionary work. 

As a result I have been investing more time in building my team. I’m focused on hiring qualified staff members that share my vision, and that are motivated to help Learn’ique advance in real ways. I’m learning to lean into their talents, and to delegate certain tasks, trusting that capable hands are working right alongside me. Being an entrepreneur can feel isolating at times, but recognizing that it “takes a village” has helped me to release some of that burden. 

What is the thing that has surprised you?

One thing that has surprised me is how much I genuinely enjoy being an entrepreneur! Honestly,  I became an entrepreneur almost accidentally. I was working as a preschool director in Westchester when I realized that I just wasn’t feeling fulfilled professionally. I started brainstorming about what other directions my career could take, based on my years of experience, and my passion for early childhood learning and development. I became an educator with an idea, but I was definitely not someone who had always dreamed of owning a business. I truly did not know that my path would lead me here!

There is something incredibly exciting about identifying a need, imagining what could exist, and then figuring out how to make it happen. I think that the process of creating, experimenting, problem-solving, and occasionally taking a leap of faith, has helped me to discover myself as an entrepreneur….a side of myself that I was surprised to know existed when I started Learn’ique.

What is your best tip for moms? 

Trust yourself. There is so much noise around motherhood…so much advice, so many opinions, and so many messages about what we should or shouldn’t be doing. Listen, learn, ask questions, and seek out help when you need it, but remember that you will always know your child best. Trust your instincts and advocate for them when something doesn’t feel right. Change course when you need to, and give yourself permission to make the decisions that work best for your family. 

You don’t have to be a “perfect”mother! You just need to keep showing up, paying attention, and being willing to learn right alongside your child! We are all on this parenthood journey together. 

My thought is that our strengths grow, our interests expand, and our lives are changing naturally. You can honor the past and the present while still asking, “What’s next for me?”

To me, reinvention isn’t about walking away from who you were, to become who you are meant to be. It’s about taking everything that you’ve learned along the way, and using it to become more intentional about your hopes and dreams for the future. 

Other fun details about you: favorite books, Netflix, fun facts?

I definitely love to escape into a good Netflix series and I’m always looking for new recommendations! I’m also currently in my podcast era and loving Mel Robbins, Jay Shetty, Dr. Becky, Glennon Doyle, and one called “How I Built This” with Guy Raz.