Welcome
Knoxville's Only Holistic Childcare
Enroll your child in our nurturing preschool today!
Welcome to Little Playschool
Our Mission
At Little Playschool, our mission is to cultivate confident, inquisitive young scholars. We offer an award-winning, play-based curriculum enriched with bespoke experiences in gardening, culinary arts, fitness, and mindfulness. We proudly serve only whole, unprocessed foods to support optimal brain development and lifelong well-being.
Little Playschool - About Us
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. Cark has 11 years of experience working in Early Childhood Education.
About Little Playschool
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 e
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.
Annabelle Sly, Three Year Old Teacher
Laura Purtlebaugh, Three Year Old Teacher
Laura Purtlebaugh, Three 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.
Lexi Sanders, Toddler Teacher
Laura Purtlebaugh, Three Year Old Teacher
Lexi Sanders, 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.
Welcome to Little Playschool
Deanna Reyome, Toddler Teacher
Deanna Reyome, Toddler Teacher
Deanna Reyome, Toddler Teacher
Ms. D brings a steady confidence and genuine warmth that makes everyone feel at ease the moment she walks into a room. Though she is the newest member of our team, she blended seamlessly into our school community, quickly becoming a trusted presence for both staff and families.
Known for her willingness to step in wherever she is needed, M
Ms. D brings a steady confidence and genuine warmth that makes everyone feel at ease the moment she walks into a room. Though she is the newest member of our team, she blended seamlessly into our school community, quickly becoming a trusted presence for both staff and families.
Known for her willingness to step in wherever she is needed, Ms. D is always ready to support her fellow teachers and lend a helping hand. She has a natural gift with our youngest learners — often carrying a little one on her hip while others trail close behind, drawn to her calm energy and gentle reassurance. Practical, thoughtful, and incredibly kind, she brings a wonderful balance of wisdom and sweetness to everything she does.
With 28 years of experience owning and operating her own home childcare program and a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, Ms. D offers a depth of knowledge and leadership that strengthens our entire Little Playschool team.
Our Curriculum
Deanna Reyome, Toddler Teacher
Deanna Reyome, Toddler Teacher
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, f
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.
Working with Specialists
Deanna Reyome, Toddler Teacher
Working with Specialists
At Little Playschool, we proudly support children with developmental delays through a collaborative, team-based approach to care. Developmental delays are very common in early childhood, and we believe every child deserves patience, understanding, and the right support to reach their full potential.
We welcome outside therapists into our
At Little Playschool, we proudly support children with developmental delays through a collaborative, team-based approach to care. Developmental delays are very common in early childhood, and we believe every child deserves patience, understanding, and the right support to reach their full potential.
We welcome outside therapists into our school so they can observe children in their natural learning environment and work closely with our teachers and staff. This partnership ensures everyone is aligned in supporting each child’s unique needs, goals, and progress.
Through open communication and consistent strategies between families, therapists, and our classroom teams, we help children build the skills they need to thrive — with the shared goal of reaching important developmental milestones by kindergarten and beyond.