Our Mission
Our mission at The Kinder Garden Preschool is to provide hands-on opportunities for learning and skill development through nature-based inquiry and outdoor exploration to develop a lasting appreciation for the natural world.
Our Staff
__________________________________
Mary Kingsley
Director
Mary is the director and offers over 40 years of teaching experience. She holds both a Bachelors and Masters in Education, as well as Certification as an Environmental Educator. Her love of teaching and being outdoors led to pursuing her dream of opening a nature-based preschool.
___________________________________
Kate Kingsley
Lead Teacher and Curriculum Specialist
Kate is the Assistant Director and Lead Teacher. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and is Reggio Emilia trained. She holds over 45 years of teaching experience and a strong background in science and mathematics. Kate has begun the exciting adventure of earning her Environmental Education Certification.
____________________________________
Mellissa Reynolds
Lead Teacher
Mellissa is returning for her second year teaching at the Kinder Garden Preschool. She has been a nanny for 15 years. She is currently working on getting her early childhood certification. She loves incorporating nurturing children, teaching new things while experiencing the out doors.
_______________________________________
Fiona Osborne
Lead Teacher
Ms Fiona & her family recently relocated from Cleveland, OH. Ms Fiona worked as a lead teacher at a farm school. She has 8yrs of teaching experience and holds a bachelor’s in special education, and is Montessori trained in ages 3-6. She wholly believes that nature is the best teacher, and is very excited for this new adventure in NC!
______________________________________
April Nelson
Lead Teacher
April Nelson is celebrating her first year teaching at Kinder Garden Preschool. She has a background in speech-language pathology, with a specialty in working with toddler-preschool age range. She holds a Masters in Education and a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology. She has a passion for working with children and a love of nature.
________________________________________
Miranda Spinner
Assistant
Miranda is Mama to two Kinder Garden alumni. Unwilling to let go after her youngest graduated, she jumped at the opportunity to join the staff as Teacher’s Assistant! A feral forest creature at heart, Miranda loves exploring the outdoors with tiny humans and is purveyor of all cuddle puddles. Miranda holds a Bachelor of Communications with double emphases in Broadcast Journalism and Public Relations from Mississippi State University.
________________________________________
Shelby Brunner
Assistant
Shelby is a mom of two boys with the youngest being a Kinder Garden alum. A love for being outside and working with the younger aged children brought Shelby to be an assistant. She holds a business degree with a biology minor from Huntingdon College, as well as an associate’s degree in early childhood education from Wake Tech. Shelby owned and operated a child care business for 11 years, but decided to close to focus on her young ones and family. With both her kids in school Shelby is excited to be back working with little children again, sharing a love for being outside, nurturing a child’s curiosity with nature, and exploring.