Philosophy

The Little School's philosophy and curriculum is built upon children's interests, abilities and curiosity. It is based on our understanding that children learn best in the context of warm, supportive relationships, which are at the heart of our educational community. At The Little School, children learn actively through play, social interaction and experimentation.

Each classroom offers a welcoming environment that promotes the learning and creativity of each child through meaningful experiences for play and exploration, while supporting each child's potential as individuals. Strong connections between the school and its families are essential for quality learning and development. Our goal is to create partnerships with parents in support of their children's development and to serve as a resource for support and education.


Meet Our Director

 
 

Monica Yannes

Director

Monica is originally from Vermont and has been teaching since 2014. She started as a summer camp teacher at The Little School while she attended Franklin Pierce University. She received her B.A. with honors in both Elementary Education and Music. After graduating, she returned to TLS as a full-time teacher for several years before moving to Long Island. Monica has taught Preschool and Pre-K in Vermont, New York, and Connecticut and she is happy to be back in the Green Mountains to stay! Her hobbies include hiking, ATV riding, baking, photography, and playing with her dogs.

Monica holds a Vermont Early Childhood Education license as well as a Vermont Elementary Education license.

Dawn Blinn

Bookkeeper

Dawn has been in the field of Early Childhood Education since 1997. Over the years, she has held positions as a Toddler and Preschool Teacher, Program Coordinator, Assistant Director, and Director of a School Readiness Preschool program in Connecticut. Since moving to Vermont in 2010, she has been a PD Specialist for the Council for Professional Recognition helping Early Childhood Professionals earn their CDA credentials. She has her degree in Early Childhood Education and studied at both Norwalk Community college and Fairfield University. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, gardening, and cooking.

 

NAEYC Accredited

In 2019, The Little School received a new five-year term of accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children after meeting all ten of NAEYC's program standards