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Little Milestones for Small Discoveries

OUR TEAM

ABOUT US

Little Milestones for Small Discoveries is a therapy gym and educational center in Jersey City, New Jersey seeking to ensure that every child reaches their full potential, creates first friendships, and has fun in a judgement free environment. 
 
Owned and operated by Latrenda Zabaleta, M.S., OTR/L and Veronika Deleon, B.A., Little Milestones for Small Discoveries takes responsibility for this critical period in a child’s life. Our passionate therapists and teachers are advocates of learning and include child development experts. 
 
Our approach is tailored to each individual and each family to create a home-away-from-home and positive learning environment. Our goal is to decrease stereotypes and promote inclusivity of children who exhibit different patterns and timelines of development in a judge-free environment. 

MEET THE TEAM

Little Milestones for Small Discoveries is an inclusive community that believes that a warm and comfortable setting is essential for successful learning. Our staff is committed to the following core values:

  • We are caring, reliable, dependable, and trustworthy

  • We believe a diverse and inclusive culture is fundamental to our success and to the wellbeing of the children under our care

  • We maintain a healthy balance of LEARN and PLAY

  • We are a supportive and judgment-free environment 

  • We foster healthy first friendships and social skills

Latrenda Zabaleta
Latrenda Zabaleta, MSOT, OTR/L
Co-Founder & Director of Therapy Services
Little Milestones for Small Discoveries

Latrenda Zabaleta is a local Jersey City mom and Occupational Therapist who received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Stockton University and her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from New York University. She has 12 years of clinical experience, most of which have been spent working with children in early intervention, pediatric clinics, and public and charter schools. She has provided services for children with developmental delays, Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, hypotonia, cerebral palsy, rare genetic syndromes, behavioral issues, fine motor delays, handwriting concerns and many other diagnoses. She is clinically trained in motor control and learning theories, neuromuscular and neurodevelopmental principles, sensory integration, fine motor skills, visual-motor training and cognitive-behavioral strategies. She is currently working towards her certificate in Ayres Sensory Integration® and has more recently completed her DIRFloortime® certification. She developed a passion for inclusivity amongst children with and without delays due to the overwhelming disparity in quality foundational services available for her community.

Veronika DeLeon
Veronika DeLeon-Kahraman, BA
Co-Founder & Director of Operations

As Co-Founder and Managing Director, Veronika De Leon, also director of Small Discoveries Preschool, graduated with a BA in Education from New Jersey City University. She is a visionary director who works tirelessly to ensure the uncompromising quality of care for your loved ones. Born and raised in Hudson County, she grew up working with children of all ages, from toddlers to adults and has always dreamed about giving back to her local community. She has over 15 years of teaching experience which led to the founding of Small Discoveries. Since its inception Veronika has led the center's growth to the point where it now cares for over 50 children and employs a dozen educators and caregivers all from the local community. She is a strong believer that our communities gain strength through diversity, and not in spite of it. 

FOUNDERS STORY

Latrenda and Veronika have a friendship and vision that spans over 20 years. 

Growing up together in the same community and local town of Hoboken, Latrenda and Veronika always shared in the dream of becoming educators and advocates for children with and without special needs. Latrenda and Veronika are the perfect blend of compassion, knowledge, and professional expertise.

#LM4SDCOMMUNITY

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