LAURA WINTER - Owner/Founder Laura is the owner and founder of Small World Preschool and Child Care Center. Holding a Bachelor's Degree in Education, she has an extensive background in the field of early education and care and is Director I, Director II, Preschool and Infant/Toddler certified. After leaving the corporate world in 1980, she began working in a variety of preschool and camp settings, followed by ten years of running a family child care program while raising her own five children. Small World opened in 1994 and continues to serve children throughout the community. Laura is an active and involved member of her town serving on a variety of town boards, committees and councils. She has been advocating for children and their families since 1978.
HOLLY RAPPE - Program Director and Lead Teacher Holly has been a life-long resident of Western Massachusetts. She began working at Small World Preschool and Child Care Center in 2004 as a lead teacher and became program director in 2009. Holly is also a student working toward her Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, traveling and, most importantly, spending time with her 18 year old daughter Kali, 10-year old son Riley, and 8 year old son Sammy.
LISA KENNEDY - Lead Teacher Lisa Kennedy has been employed as lead teacher of Small World Preschool since 2013. Her entire career has been spent working exclusively with preschool age children because she feels a special connection to them and enjoys fostering their academic, emotional, and social abilities. Lisa views her strength as an educator as her ability to understand each child's individual needs and abilities.
PEGGY TIERNO - Teacher Originally from Cape Cod, Peggy Tierno moved to Western Massachusetts about two years ago to further build their career in early childhood education and farming. With global teaching experiences ranging from a Montessori school in their home town to a bilingual immersion school in New Zealand, Peggy is excited to connect with the local community during their time at Small World. Peggy enjoys fostering outdoor learning opportunities by setting up school gardens with students and exploring the natural world. In their free time, Peggy can be found hiking up Mt. Sugarloaf, baking treats for friends, and perusing local thrift stores.