Williamsburg Parent Cooperative Preschool

The Two Year Old at Co-op

For our two-year-olds this is often their first experience away from home, therefore we want to make it as comfortable as possible. We want the toddlers to feel that they are part of a positive, warm and loving environment. Our most important responsibility is to help build the child’s self-concept.

Social interaction, language development, emotional expression and motor control begin to emerge through our program that provides:

Thematic curriculum based on seasons and topics of interest to toddlers
Open-ended and child-centered craft opportunities that encourage creativity, exploring different art mediums, as well as foster do-it-yourself skills
Classroom cooking activities to activate sensory appreciation and foster experimentation
Dramatic play and dress-ups to stimulate imagination and role-playing
Manipulatives and blocks for small motor skills, problem –solving, and spatial relations
Music for the joy of movement
Gathering time with books, puppets, and finger-plays to promote attention, inspire participation, and stimulate language development
Sensory table to enliven the senses and advance conversation
Playdough table for experimenting with spatial relations and cause and effect
An up-to-date, safe, and exciting playground

We provide a rich environment that allows toddlers to learn through the natural process of exploration and discovery that is their own play.

Two Day 2's Teacher - Heather Seltzer

It wasn't long ago that I started the search for the perfect pre-school for my 4 year-old son. One day I came across the Co-Op. After visiting and being immersed in the environment, I knew it would be the perfect fit for our family. You can imagine my excitement when I offered the position as a Co-Op two year-old teacher! I love how the Co-Op embraces the child - parent - teacher relationship and how children learn through self guided exploration, discovery and play.

Although this will be my first year at the Co-Op I have many teaching experiences. I taught 5th grade for three years in Newport News, student taught for a year in 3rd grade, and I have experience in the Virginia Tech Child Development Lab School. During college I worked at various childcare centers and have been a substitute teacher and tutor. I have a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Tech.

I look forward to working with Co-Op families and embracing all of the wonderful philosophies that make it a great place to learn!

One Day 2's Teacher - Molly Gareis

I knew from a very young age that my life would be dedicated to teaching and working with children and families. I babysat all through middle school, high school, and college before graduating and earning my Virginia teaching license from Old Dominion University with a B.S. in Elementary Education. I began my career as a classroom teacher in the Williamsburg-James City County Public School System teaching children in grades 8, 6, and 3. After my tenure with WJC Schools, I spent the next eleven years as a stay-at-home Mom with my son and two daughters. As a parent, contributing to the education of children remained a part of who I am. For eight consecutive years I was fortunate enough to be a Co-op parent. I loved working in my own children’s classes and I grew by serving alongside the amazing Co-op teachers. During this time I read constantly about child development and parenting, and, eventually I went back to Old Dominion University and earned my Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. My husband, Chris, is currently Associate Dean in the School of Education at the College of William and Mary, but he spent many years as a classroom teacher and as a school principal. We are both dedicated to our own children and to our careers in education. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to teach at Co-op and be surrounded on a daily basis by such wonderful children, families, and teachers.
Children are my passion, and it is my hope that as a Co-op teacher, I will be able to give back some of the invaluable gifts that I have received over the years from Co-op.

2’s Classes
Tuesday, Thursday 1:00-3:00
Friday 9:30-11:30