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"Our teachers are really the heart of our center. They lead with enthusiasm, values and compassion." 

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Hailey Pratt

Director

“I have always loved working with children; they inspire me to be the best person I can be. Children help you see things from a whole new perspective. There is never a dull moment around children, and I love that!”

Hailey began her childcare experience in 2010 in the early childhood program at the Technology Center. She then moved into a teacher’s aide position at Vassar High School Head Start and Latch Key. Hailey started working for EduPlay in October of 2014. She has completed her Child Development Associates in 2016 at Delta College and is currently working towards her associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Hailey enjoys camping and spending time with her husband and daughter.

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Makenzie Buetow

Director

"What I love most about working with children is their fearlessness. They have a whole world to discover filled with new and exciting, sometimes terrifying things. I love seeing their genuine reaction when they are learning. There is nothing more rewarding than experiencing that with them"

Makenzie began her childcare experience in 2016. She started her employment at EduPlay in January of 2019 as an assistant teacher. She was a lead teacher in the Toddler Room for several months. Before working in childcare, Makenzie taught swim lessons to young children and children and adults with special needs. She also coached middle school volleyball for several years. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education Administration in November of 2021. She spent the last two years teaching GSRP Preschool. Makenzie loves spending time with her friends and family, especially her niece and nephews. She enjoys concerts, baking, crafting, and swimming.

Melissa Volk

Assistant Director

"I’m happy to be back into the field of working with children again. I love to see children light up when they learn something new or reach a new milestone- children are such a blessing and so much fun to be around and teach!"

Melissa started in childcare in 1997. Since then, she has held various positions at several childcare centers. She has been an assistant teacher, lead teacher, and in 2003 became a director. She worked as a certified nursing assistant in home care and was the head of the Restorative Therapy Program at Wellspring Lutheran Services for the last 10 years. She pursued her degree in Childhood Development at Delta college. Melissa was the Early Preschool lead teacher and now is the assistant director. She loves spending time with her dog Snickers, reading, traveling, crafting, and spending time with her family and friends.

Ariel Perez-Smith

Lead Teacher - Infant Room

"I love working with kids because I get to make a difference in their life. I get to help them learn and grow."

Ariel began working with children with special needs in 2017. She started employment at Eduplay in November of 2020 as an assistant in the Infant Room, where she is now the lead teacher. Previously, she worked as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant and as a behavior technician. She is married and has three young children. Ariel is an active volunteer in her church.

OUR EDUCATORS

Our teachers are really the heart of our center. They lead with enthusiasm, values and compassion. We build cohesive teams by valuing each teacher’s strengths and contributions within the programs and recognizing the relationships with the children in their care. Our teachers understand that children learn best when they are provided a foundation of warm, responsive care, and a genuine loving relationship is built with their teacher. We are very fortunate to have an amazing team of talented teachers at EduPlay who are passionate in what they do and care deeply about the children.

Kimberly Zehnder, Owner

Some of the best times in our lives are spent as a child exploring, learning and imagining.  These years are also the most valuable when comes to learning and absorbing all the information and experiences we are given.  These are the brain's critical developmental years. The first few years in a child's life are an extraordinary period of cognitive and emotional growth, brain development and language acquisition. The older we get the more we forget just how precious and fleeting these moments were for us, not to mention how important they were to our brain's development.  

 

Imagine an early childhood program and after-school program that not only meets the child care needs of parents during these periods of critical development, but that also provides opportunities for in depth exploration and discovery in the areas of science and creative arts in an activity based learning environment.

 

EduPlay aims to offer quality early childhood services with flexible hours that support local parents as well as those employed in the tourist industry within the community.  We will provide close personal attention and an activity based learning environment that encourages exploration and discovery.  These qualities are essential to providing a quality and creative learning experience that promotes the development of the whole child.

Nikohl Cooper

Lead Teacher - Waddler Room

“The one thing I love most about working with children is being able to watch them work hard and succeed at things every single day!”

Nikohl began childcare in 2021 and began employment at Eduplay in 2022 as an assistant teacher in the Waddler Room. She received her Childhood Development Associates in 2023. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing golf, and spending a lot of time outdoors.

Savannah Jones

Lead Teacher-Toddler Room

"I enjoy working with kids because I like watching their little minds grow. Kids learn so much in a short amount of time. It is amazing to think that for a short moment we have the responsibility for the future of their world."

Savannah started working with children in 2019 at EduPlay. She started an assistant in several rooms, but found her home in the Toddler Room. She is currently obtaining her Childhood Development Associates. She loves to volunteer at her church's nursery. She likes reading and spending time with her friends and family. 

Ashleigh Fisher

Great Start Readiness Program
Kindergarten-Prep Lead Teacher

"Working with kids brings so much joy. I love their creativity and curiosity. I’m blessed to be a part of this pivotal time in their lives."

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Ashleigh started her childcare journey at Eduplay as an assistant teacher in the Toddler Room in 2019. She has a Bachelor's degree of Fine Arts from Northern Michigan University. She is working towards a masters degree in Early Childhood Education also from NMU. Ashleigh is married to her husband Zach and has two young children and a dog. Her passion in life is photography. She is an active member of the Frankenmuth Bible Church. She enjoys attending worship, Bible study, and her community group.

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