About
We engage children in active learning through the world around them. Learning through play, means teaching them how to discover and learn new things all the time. It means learning throughout the life span. It means learning inside and outside the classroom. It means learning is limitless.
Mission Statement
Our vision is to provide a quality early childhood education program for children and families. We focus on teacher-parent partnerships and utilize research informed teaching practices to create a high quality program. It is our mission to build a community where our children fee safe to play and learn by touching the hearts and minds of our staff, children, and families.
Summary of our School
Play and Learn Children’s Place provides quality child care to the children of Washtenaw County. While adhering to the HighScope curriculum, state, and federal guidelines, we provide our teachers the ability to mold and shape young minds while continuing their development of skills through state certified training. We develop our classrooms to be the best learning environment for kids to play and learn in. We maintain a house area, toy area, block area, and art area with age appropriate materials, to aid in child development. As a core part of our learning environment, we use natural materials (ie: rocks, shells and wood), real materials (ie: phones, pots and pans), sensory materials, and culturally diverse materials, to maintain a well rounded learning environment. Our teachers use anecdotal observations to assess the children’s development from birth through preschool.
Meet our Teachers
Cassie
Joined P&L in 2018
Owner & Director since 2021
Hello. I am Cassie, Owner/ Director at Play and Learn Children’s Place. I was born and raised in Ohio. I have a Bachelor’s in Psychology, with a focus in Child Development, and Human Development and Family Studies, from Kent State University. Afterward, I moved to the great state of Michigan to continue my education. I went to the University of Michigan to complete my Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy. I interned with the Washtenaw ISD, and have taught preschool and GSRP since 2017. I have been director of Play and Learn since February of 2021.
I love scaffolding young learners, and they have taught me much throughout my career. I am very passionate about sharing my knowledge with staff and parents. As director, I focus most of my time on child development, ensuring staff’s knowledge and assisting kids who need a little extra love. Directorship has amplified the joy I get sharing knowledge and helping adults learn about child development. I am a certified professional development trainer, and I am also pursuing a certification as a parenting coach, so I can share my knowledge and experience with staff and families.
My hobbies are hiking, cooking, gardening, arts and crafts, and singing, which are all things I love to share with staff and the kids. We are always laughing and having fun, it’s the best way to learn!
Emily
Emily - Joined P&L in 2012
Assistant Director
I’m Emily Hatfield. I’m a mom, wife, and teacher to all littles. I’ve known I wanted to be a teacher since I was in second grade. I started working on that goal while still in high school and as a result have been in the teaching community since 2009, and I joined Play and Learn in 2012. I graduated from MCCC with honors and with both a degree and extra certification in Early Childhood Development. I love fostering independence, social and emotional development, and hands-on learning through play. My hobbies are interior decorating, going on walks, and traveling. I love coffee and food.
Megan
Joined P&L in 2012
Infant and Toddler Manager
Hello! Im Megan! Currently one of our Lead Infant-Toddler Teachers and in the past, preschool teacher. I started my childcare journey back in 2008 but grew up in a home where Play and Learn was first established. I went to Washtenaw Community College and recieved a Childcare Development certification and in 2014 I became extremely passionate about children and family nutrition along with the importance and positive impact it has.
Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to teach children and since I became a mother, my love and understanding for children has only expanded. My goal for the children at Play and Learn is to inspire them, build self-esteem and confidence, encourage creativity, provide emotional and mental support and encourage healthy lifestyle choices. My goal for parents is to partner with them while we build a solid foundation by having a trusting relationship, genuine connection and excellent communication.
I want to teach because I want to be one of the reasons a child is successful and feels loved and appreciated for who they are. The first few years of brain development is so crucial, I want these children to flourish as they grow into the amazing human beings they were created to be. Even when the routine is the same, everyday they are learning, growing and moving closer to their next milestone.
As for myself, I am a wife and mother of two beautiful boys. Our oldest is Callahan and our youngest, Caelan. We have a pup at home named Ren and he means the world to us. We live a healthy lifestyle that includes eating well, exercise and making sure we get enough time outdoors in nature all throughout the year. I love animals, cooking, baking, dancing, art, practicing photography and volunteering at my church. I am an artist at heart so you can count on plenty of art work coming home if I am your child’s teacher! Thank you for taking the time to read about me, I am looking forward to meeting you!
Yvette
Joined P&L in 2022
Preschool Manager
Hello I am Yvette, a preschool teacher. I am a proud mother of six kids (three boys, three girls) and three grandchildren. I have worked in the childcare field since 1996. I have worked with all age groups. I worked as a co-director at a previous center. I enjoy working with children and watching them grow and have fun learning. Some of my hobbies include nature and animals, especally monkeys. I enjoy art, the messier the better. The reason why I enjoy teaching is because all children learn differently and its a fun challenge. I look forward to preparing my preschoolers for the ‘big’ school, kindergarten.
Jaidyn
Joined P&L in 2022
Hi my name is Jaidyn, I love to work here because I enjoy working with children. My very first job as babysitting and I am an aunt of three and I love them so much.
I love hanging out with friends and family my favorite thing to do is play on my phone and play games. I have a cat that I treat like my child, she is my bestfreind.
In the future I plan to attend school and work with children with special needs. Some things I enjoy doing with the children at Play and Learn are reading, arts, learning, and teaching about nature!
