Meet Our Leaders of PLAY
We pride ourselves on being a family-oriented environment not only for the students but for the staff as well. Many of our staff first came to the school as parents. They had so much fun, they stayed on as teachers! All of our teachers are licensed through the Department of Children and Families and our VPK staff must maintain a Florida CDA/Staff Credential.
The part-time hours and flexibility we offer is much of why we have been able to retain highly qualified staff for long tenures. One teacher retired after being at our school for 30+ years, and two other teachers were with our school for 20+ years!
This very low turnover rate has hugely contributed to our highly regarded reputation in the community as well as the quality and consistency of care and education that families receive over time.
Our Founders
Anastasia Chandler, Executive Director
Anastasia is a Palm Beach County local who grew up caring for children, playing sports, and creating art of one kind or another throughout her life. She studied education and writing in college and came into the Early Childhood field with a vision for growth through hands-on learning and the arts, and a strong background in youth programming from years of program management for the YMCA. She discovered FUMC as a parent of two boys, while teaching mom-and-me classes, graduated to a 3's teacher once they moved to elementary school, and eventually took over as Preschool Director. A drive to give all families the same gifts her family got from the school of finding a second home and a community of support has led her passion for making The P.L.A.Y. School the unique place it is today. Anastasia serves as the Executive Director and Preschool Director of The P.L.A.Y. School.
Megan Baraldi, Development Director
Megan developed her passion for education and youth development through her experience coaching youth volleyball in Connecticut. Additionally, she loves to travel and learn about the world with her husband and two children. She speaks fluent Spanish and has tutored English language learners as well as children learning Spanish. After moving to Florida, she began teaching preschool. Megan quickly fell in love with our learn-through-play curriculum and embraced our Parents-as-Partners philosophy. We were blessed to have her bilingual education skills and big heart added to our team experience. Throughout her time at FUMC, her dream of opening her own school to grow and spread our mission solidified, and when the old school closed, she seized the moment to make her dream a reality. Megan now serves as the Development Director and Lead Teacher of The P.L.A.Y. School.
Join Our Community of Educators
We are always looking for flexible, fun teachers to join our community as leads, substitutes, or floaters! If you have a DCF 40-hour certification or a FL teacher's certificate, love to PLAY, and would like to join our sub list, please email us.
