AGES 1-5
Daily Cooking, Gardening, Fitness & Mindfulness Activities!
We proudly use Experience Early Learning — a NAEYC-endorsed, award-winning curriculum aligned with state standards in all 50 states and correlated with Common Core foundations. Built around the same educational standards that guide learning in public schools, our play-based approach helps children develop the academic, social, and emotional skills needed for a seamless and successful transition into kindergarten and beyond.
* Little Playschool only serves whole, non-processed food to support optimal brain and body development.
Little Playschool - meet the staff
Molly Minkin, Founder
Carl Gillette, Four Year Old Teacher
Rachel Waliszewski, Director
Little Playschool was founded by Ms. Molly out of a belief that early childhood should be filled with joy, confidence, and meaningful connection. With a heart for nurturing both minds and spirits, Molly created Little Playschool as a place where children are not only cared for, but truly seen, supported, and celebrated.
Her vision goes bey
Little Playschool was founded by Ms. Molly out of a belief that early childhood should be filled with joy, confidence, and meaningful connection. With a heart for nurturing both minds and spirits, Molly created Little Playschool as a place where children are not only cared for, but truly seen, supported, and celebrated.
Her vision goes beyond traditional childcare — blending play-based learning with a holistic approach that supports emotional growth, healthy habits, and lifelong curiosity. Every detail of the school reflects her commitment to creating a warm, beautiful environment where families feel welcomed and children feel at home.
To Molly, this is more than a preschool — it’s a community built on love, integrity, and the magic of childhood. Ms. Molly has 17 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, including eight years of experience owning her own childcares.
Rachel Waliszewski, Director
Carl Gillette, Four Year Old Teacher
Rachel Waliszewski, Director
Ms. Rachel is the sunshine behind the scenes at Little Playschool. Whether she’s whipping up something delicious in the kitchen, stepping in to help wherever she’s needed, or keeping the day running smoothly, she does it all with a smile and a whole lot of heart. She is incredible with our staff — encouraging, supportive, and always lead
Ms. Rachel is the sunshine behind the scenes at Little Playschool. Whether she’s whipping up something delicious in the kitchen, stepping in to help wherever she’s needed, or keeping the day running smoothly, she does it all with a smile and a whole lot of heart. She is incredible with our staff — encouraging, supportive, and always leading by example — and she truly brings out the best in everyone around her.
With a passion for excellence in every area of our school, Ms. Rachel pours herself into creating a joyful, organized, and loving environment for children and teachers alike. We are so lucky to have her guiding our team and filling our school with positivity every day.
Ms. Rachel has a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and
10 years of experience administratively and in the classroom.
Carl Gillette, Four Year Old Teacher
Carl Gillette, Four Year Old Teacher
Carl Gillette, Four Year Old Teacher
Mr. Carl brings a big personality and an even bigger heart to our four-year-old classroom. From the moment you meet him, it’s easy to see why everyone instantly loves him — his energy is contagious and his laughter fills the room. He has a special gift for building confidence in children, helping them feel brave, capable, and proud of wh
Mr. Carl brings a big personality and an even bigger heart to our four-year-old classroom. From the moment you meet him, it’s easy to see why everyone instantly loves him — his energy is contagious and his laughter fills the room. He has a special gift for building confidence in children, helping them feel brave, capable, and proud of who they are.
He also has a true talent for keeping the kids laughing all day, turning everyday moments into joyful memories. His students know they are genuinely loved and valued, and it shows in the happy faces you’ll see from morning drop-off to afternoon pickup. With Mr. Carl, learning feels fun, friendships grow easily, and confidence shines bright. Mr. Carl has 11 years of experience working in Early Childhood Education.
Shay Armstrong, Four Year Old Teacher
Laura Purtlebaugh, Three Year Old Teacher
Shay Armstrong, Four Year Old Teacher
Ms. Shay is the kind of teacher children naturally gravitate toward. Gentle, friendly, and easygoing, she connects with children effortlessly and has an instinct for knowing when they need encouragement, a little extra help, or simply someone by their side. She genuinely enjoys being with children, and that sincerity comes through in th
Ms. Shay is the kind of teacher children naturally gravitate toward. Gentle, friendly, and easygoing, she connects with children effortlessly and has an instinct for knowing when they need encouragement, a little extra help, or simply someone by their side. She genuinely enjoys being with children, and that sincerity comes through in the relationships she builds with them.
One of Ms. Shay's greatest strengths is how deeply she cares about every child at Little Playschool. She doesn't limit that care to the children assigned to her classroom. She notices when someone needs help, celebrates their successes, and makes an effort to know and support children throughout the school. Her patience and gentle personality make her a reassuring presence for children as they learn to navigate friendships, emotions, independence, and new experiences. She brings kindness to the classroom, friendship to the team, and a sincere desire to make Little Playschool a happy place for every child who walks through the door.. Ms. Shay brings over 6 years of experience working with young children.
Annabelle Sly, Three Year Old Teacher
Laura Purtlebaugh, Three Year Old Teacher
Shay Armstrong, Four Year Old Teacher
Ms. Annabelle has a remarkable way of making every child feel truly seen and supported. When you walk into her classroom, you will often find a child curled up in her lap — a testament to the trust, comfort, and love she naturally inspires. With her calm presence and nurturing spirit, she creates an environment where children feel safe t
Ms. Annabelle has a remarkable way of making every child feel truly seen and supported. When you walk into her classroom, you will often find a child curled up in her lap — a testament to the trust, comfort, and love she naturally inspires. With her calm presence and nurturing spirit, she creates an environment where children feel safe to explore, take chances, and grow with confidence.
Her patience and attentiveness allow her to connect deeply with each child, building strong relationships that make learning feel joyful and secure. Loved by the children and respected by her colleagues, Ms. Annabelle brings warmth, consistency, and heart to everything she does. We are grateful to have her as part of our Little Playschool family, where her compassion and dedication make a meaningful impact every day.
Ms. Annabelle holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, an Associate’s Degree in Science, and an Associate’s Degree in Exercise Science, and brings over ten years of experience in early childhood education.
Laura Purtlebaugh, Three Year Old Teacher
Laura Purtlebaugh, Three Year Old Teacher
Laura Purtlebaugh, Three Year Old Teacher
Ms. Laura has a special gift for turning ordinary moments into something magical. With her innovative ideas and creative touch, she brings new life to even the most everyday activities — adding just the right amount of sparkle to playtime and learning. She’s always dreaming up fun ways to keep children engaged, curious, and excited to exp
Ms. Laura has a special gift for turning ordinary moments into something magical. With her innovative ideas and creative touch, she brings new life to even the most everyday activities — adding just the right amount of sparkle to playtime and learning. She’s always dreaming up fun ways to keep children engaged, curious, and excited to explore, and her classroom is a place where imagination truly comes alive.
Quick to lend a helping hand, Ms. Laura is also a wonderful support to her fellow teachers, stepping in with fresh ideas and a positive attitude whenever needed. She has a natural ability to uplift those around her, creating a positive, collaborative environment that benefits both staff and students alike. Her energy, creativity, and caring heart make her an invaluable part of our Little Playschool family — and a favorite with the children she inspires every day.
Ms. Laura holds an Associate’s Degree in Teaching and brings over ten years of experience in the classroom, using her knowledge and passion to make a lasting impact on young learners.
Lexi Sanders, Toddler Teacher
Betty Rodriguez, Toddler Teacher
Betty Rodriguez, Toddler Teacher
Ms. Lexi is a true empath and one of the kindest souls in our school — a gift that shines brightest in her work with toddlers. Her natural warmth and gentle spirit make children feel instantly safe and loved, and it’s no surprise that she’s adored not only by her own students, but by children throughout the entire school.
Creative, nurturi
Ms. Lexi is a true empath and one of the kindest souls in our school — a gift that shines brightest in her work with toddlers. Her natural warmth and gentle spirit make children feel instantly safe and loved, and it’s no surprise that she’s adored not only by her own students, but by children throughout the entire school.
Creative, nurturing, and endlessly encouraging, Ms. Lexi has a special way of lifting the people around her. She is often the first to offer a comforting word to a parent or a moment of encouragement to a coworker, earning her the reputation as everyone’s cheerleader. Her compassion, positivity, and heartfelt dedication make her an irreplaceable part of the Little Playschool family and a treasured presence in the lives of the children she supports every day.
Ms. Lexi holds an Associate of Science degree, a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, and a TECTA certification, and brings 27 years of experience in early childhood education.
Betty Rodriguez, Toddler Teacher
Betty Rodriguez, Toddler Teacher
Betty Rodriguez, Toddler Teacher
Ms. Betty brings a warm heart, a nurturing spirit, and a genuine love for children to everything she does. With her calm and caring nature, she has a way of making children feel comfortable, valued, and right at home. Her thoughtful approach allows her to meet each child where they are, offering patience and encouragement as they learn an
Ms. Betty brings a warm heart, a nurturing spirit, and a genuine love for children to everything she does. With her calm and caring nature, she has a way of making children feel comfortable, valued, and right at home. Her thoughtful approach allows her to meet each child where they are, offering patience and encouragement as they learn and grow. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Ms. Betty is also able to connect and communicate with children and families in both languages.
Ms. Betty understands that every child is unique and deserves to be loved, supported, and celebrated. She loves watching children discover new things, develop independence, and grow in confidence. Her years of experience have shaped her into a compassionate and dedicated teacher who brings consistency, wisdom, and warmth to the classroom every day.
Ms. Betty has an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education, and 22 years of experience in the classroom. She offers a depth of knowledge and compassion that strengthens our entire Little Playschool team.
Our Curriculum
Betty Rodriguez, Toddler Teacher
Our Curriculum
At Little Playschool, we believe children thrive when their learning supports both their minds and their wellbeing. That’s why we proudly offer a unique Holistic Health Curriculum alongside our award-winning, play-based curriculum, Experience Early Learning.
Our Holistic Health Curriculum includes daily activities in cooking, gardening, fi
At Little Playschool, we believe children thrive when their learning supports both their minds and their wellbeing. That’s why we proudly offer a unique Holistic Health Curriculum alongside our award-winning, play-based curriculum, Experience Early Learning.
Our Holistic Health Curriculum includes daily activities in cooking, gardening, fitness, and mindfulness, giving children hands-on opportunities to build healthy habits, emotional awareness, and confidence from an early age. These experiences help children connect learning to real life while nurturing both body and mind.
At the same time, our classrooms are guided by Experience Early Learning, an internationally recognized, research-based curriculum that uses purposeful play to build strong foundations in literacy, math, social-emotional growth, and critical thinking. Children learn best when they are engaged, curious, and having fun — and this program ensures every moment of play is meaningful.
Families are welcome to explore more about our play-based curriculum here:
https://www.experienceearlylearning.com
Together, our holistic health focus and award-winning learning framework create a nurturing, balanced environment where children grow academically, socially, and emotionally — setting them up for success in kindergarten and beyond.
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