Our Story

Jessica Haines and Martina Esposito share a deep commitment to teaching through play. The two met during while they were employed at one of the most fun places to work here in Raleigh, Marbles Kids Museum, as college students. During their time there, Martina lead the introduction of brand new parent and child classes as well as developed and hosted an incredible Kindergarten-readiness program that was hosted in local libraries, welcoming the wider communities to experience the value of play-based learning. Becoming a strong manager, Martina was soon overseeing the museum’s Summer Camp programs and School’s Out Programs, curating core memories for so many children who played at Marbles over the years.

With the same vision and passion, Jessica followed eagerly in Martina’s footsteps, designing early childhood and family play right alongside her best friend. After earning an Early Childhood Montessori Diploma, Jessica had set her eyes on creating a school that embodied the methodology of some of the countries best children’s museums. Together, the pair decided that they would take the job they loved most, spending their days interacting with children and sparking ah-ha moments through playful interactions and intentional play-based activities, out into the Downtown Raleigh marketplace and set up shop.

In August 2018, they opened the doors of Little by Little on Haynes Street, creating a flexible, part-time preschool program as well as pre-K summer camps, birthday celebrations, evening childcare, and seasonal community events designed to support families in meaningful ways. Enrollment grew from 8 children on day one to over 35 families after their second year of operation. Due to limitations of their building, LBL could not become a licensed facility and had to cap enrollment as well as remain part-time only. The needs of the community quickly revealed themselves, inspiring Jessica and Martina to figure out a way to open even more pre-K play opportunities and preschool classrooms.

Eight years breezed by at Haynes Street and in 2025, with the support of their Little village, Martina and Jessica announced they would be graduating from 1181 Haynes Street and moving Little by Little into a brand new location - allowing them to offer more preschool spots to the community, extend their hours past part-time and engage a brand new neighborhood in family play.

Our Philosophy

Play is at the heart of our educational philosophy. We recognize that children learn best when they are actively engaged in meaningful play experiences. Through play, they explore, discover, create, and make sense of the world around them. We have curated a play-based curriculum that fosters their natural curiosity, imagination, and problem-solving skills, allowing them to develop both cognitively and emotionally.

International Influence

Inspired by Finland and its world-renowned play-based early childhood model, Jessica and Martina visited preschools in Helsinki and Oulunkylan and immersed themselves in classrooms that prioritize child-led learning, calm environments, and deep respect for teachers. This experience helped to shape how they envisioned early education within the walls of Little by Little.

Our Founders

Martina Esposito

Martina Esposito holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and has enjoyed playing for 14 years at Marbles Kids Museum, inspiring learning through play as an Early Childhood Play Specialist. She has had the opportunity to present at the National Association of Young Children Conference as well as at ACM. A natural born Argentinian and fluent spanish speaker, Martina enjoys cooking, traveling and spending time around the fire pit with her husband, son and 4-legged child, Indy.

Jessica Haines earned her degree in Creative Writing from North Carolina State University and attained an Early Childhood Montessori Diploma for children ages 3-6 years old. She has developed and engaged in educational play at Marbles Kids Museum for over 7 years while also working in a classroom setting in a variety of accredited preschools. Hailing from Monroe, North Carolina, Jessica loves traveling, gardening and exploring the outdoors with her husband and son.

Jessica Haines