ABOUT US
Prospect Preschool is for children between the ages of two and five. We offer families a unique opportunity to take an active role in their child’s early childhood education. Here, parents assist in designing and implementing curriculum, share in administrative decision-making, and, above all, are an intrinsic part of the day-to-day classroom experience.
Our school, which is licensed by the State of New Jersey and the Township of Maplewood, provides a safe, warm, nurturing environment for children and parents. Your child begins their school years in a secure and positive atmosphere and you are there to see it happen.
Philosophy
Prospect Preschool is proudly committed to the idea of play-based learning for young children; and recognizing the individuality of each child is at the core of our curriculum.
A play-based curriculum builds on a child’s natural motivation to PLAY. Using play as a context for learning, children can explore, experiment, and solve problems in imaginative, fun and engaging ways. A play-based approach involves both child-initiated and teacher-supported learning and inquiry that aim to stretch their thinking to higher levels.
Each day at Prospect, children are involved in a variety of activities that promote their social, emotional, and intellectual growth. Through the combination of a thoughtfully conceived program and specially-selected classroom materials, our staff seeks to foster each student’s self-esteem, individuality, creativity, social, physical, and cognitive skills through the use of music, movement, art, creative play, and language.
At Prospect Preschool, we believe that everyone belongs and everyone matters. We know that diversity strengthens our community and helps our children prepare for global citizenship. We are committed to continuing to broaden our awareness, have thoughtful conversations, and take aligned actions inside the classroom, community, and our homes to ensure all families and children feel safe, welcomed, and celebrated.
Parent Involvement
In joining the Prospect Preschool community, you have made a major commitment to the positive growth and development of your child. At Prospect, parents and teachers work together to create a unique learning environment.
Parents and caregivers are asked to volunteer in the classroom regularly — this becomes an amazing opportunity to be with your child(ren) during their school day and closely participate in their learning process.
Additionally, all parents are expected to serve on the board or within a committee.
“I loved being in the classroom with my children and having them on my lap during circle time...I saw in action the school’s philosophy – that children learn and grow through play.”
“Prospect nurtured each of our children as individuals, patiently meeting each of them where they were at that moment in their development.”
“I have cherished every year that each of my three children has spent at Prospect Preschool and that I have been a part of the Prospect community.”
STAFF
Prospect Co-op is particularly proud of its devoted, dedicated and experienced staff.
Our teachers have many years of experience working with young children and strong backgrounds in early childhood education and development. Our staff continues its commitment to early childhood education by taking additional courses and attending local and national seminars and conferences.
Dana Cavanaugh
Dana is the Director of Prospect Preschool and teaches the AM 4s class. Dana attended the University of Scranton, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with a minor in Studio Art. She then earned a Master of Science in Curriculum and Teaching from Fordham University. Dana lives in Maplewood with her husband and three children, all of whom attended Prospect. She has been a member of the Prospect community for 12 years. Prior to taking on the roles of Director and Head Teacher, she was an active parent, worked as a substitute teacher, and also ran Prospect’s very popular lunch bunch program.
Kristy Lynch
Kristy teaches the AM 4s class. She is delighted to be a part of the Prospect family. Originally from California, Kristy has a Masters degree in Education from the University of La Verne, and a Bachelors degree in Liberal Studies from California State University Northridge. She received her teaching credential in California and taught at the elementary school level. She has also been a child care director and assistant director for school aged children in both California and Colorado. After moving to Maplewood, her twins both attended Prospect and Kristy met the amazing staff she now works with. When shes’s not traveling, helping with the school PTA, playing with her dog Wally, or singing show tunes, you will find her entertaining the neighborhood on her front lawn with her husband and three kids.
Meredith Brehm
Meredith Brehm teaches the AM 4s class. She is so thrilled to officially be part of the Prospect community after helping with Lunch Bunch and Enrichment for the last two years. Meredith received a Bachelor's degree in Marketing with a Minor in French from Fordham University. She spent 16 years working in the jewelry industry doing product development before pivoting down a more meaningful path of working with children. Meredith is currently working on her CDA certification through Penn State University. Meredith resides in Maplewood with her husband, two daughters and two Tibetan terriers. When she's not at Prospect, she's served on the Tuscan PTA and is an active member of the Tuscan community, she volunteers with her therapy dog, Mochi and she loves to watch her daughters light up the stage.
Janine Marks
Janine teaches the long-day 4s class. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications at Fordham University. After a a very successful but too long career in advertising, she shifted to her dream job of working in a preschool classroom. Janine recently earned her CDA certification through Penn State University, and has continued her child development education via classes at Montclair State University. Janine lives in Maplewood with her husband, two teenagers, a cat and a dog—which sometimes makes the preschool classroom feel calm. And yes, both of her children attended Prospect Preschool!
Janet Trzaska
Janet teaches the long-day 4s class. Janet attended Susquehanna University, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations with a minor in Broadcasting. Prior to joining Prospect, Janet held similar roles in Chatham and South Orange. She currently resides in Maplewood along with her husband, their cat, and two children occasionally home from college for laundry and a home-cooked meal. In her free time, she enjoys a good book, attending theater and dance performances and, when her knees allow it, a spin around the nearest ice rink. Janet is glad to be a part of the Prospect community.
Sara Knutsen
Sara teaches the M-F 3s class. Sara has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Education from Colgate University. Sara lives in Maplewood and has three children. She is a former Administrator of the Prospect Board and is also the Director of Camp Prospect.
Jennifer Dannheisser
Jennifer teaches the M-F 3s class. She received her BA in Literature from Empire State College. In her previous career, she was a dancer performing in musicals on Broadway, in Europe and touring the US. She lives with her family in Maplewood and both of her sons went to Prospect Preschool. She is so happy to be a part of the Prospect community!
Katie Rumley
Katie teaches the M/W/F 3s class. Katie graduated with a BFA in Music and Theater from the University of Buffalo and earned a CDA through Penn State University. She is also a certified Music Together teacher. Katie is a Maplewood resident whose children both attended Prospect. She has served on various local PTA boards and acts as a liaison for the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee in the South Orange/Maplewood school district.
Janie Ryan
Janie teaches the M/W/F 3s class. Janie received her BA in International Relations from the University of Delaware and a Graduate Teacher Certification from Rider University. Janie is currently completing her Masters in Early Childhood Education through Clemson University. She lives in Maplewood with her husband, two daughters and dog. Janie loves being part of the Prospect community and has been teaching here since 2013.
Andrea Erickson
Andrea teaches the M/W/F young 3s class. Andrea has a Bachelor of Science in computer science from Lehigh University and a Master of Arts in early childhood education from Johns Hopkins University. Andrea is a local mom to four kids. She absolutely adores children and has been working with kids for many years. Andrea is really proud to be a part of the Prospect community and has been teaching at Prospect since 2015.
Liz Perlman
Liz teaches the M/W/F young 3s class. From 2003-2014 Liz’s 3 children attended Prospect, she served as Administrator of the Board, as lunch bunch staff and administrator, and eventually Assistant Teacher. Liz received her BS in international relations, worked in education administration in a global education organization working with NYC HS teachers and then at Columbia University as coordinator of the Visual Arts Division.
Ally Cherins
Ally teaches the Tu/Th and M/W 2s classes. She earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Hunter College in NYC. She has worked with infants and children of all abilities in a variety of settings. Ally has lived in Maplewood for 19 years. She and her husband Jon have three children: Maya, 21, Jesse, 18 and Sam, 14. She also has two fur-babies, Zoe, a Bernedoodle and Frankie, a French Mastiff. Ally is happiest when she is cooking, traveling, hiking and spending time with her family and friends. She is grateful to be a part of the Prospect Preschool Community.
Melanie Sim
Melanie teaches the Tu/Th 2s class. Melanie is a history graduate of the University of London. She has worked in a variety of settings including the Royal Acadmy of Dancing, the Inns of Court in London and Goldman Sachs. She has three children aged 22, 20 and 17, all graduates of Prospect Preschool who all remain best friends with the children they met at Prospect at age 2 and 3! While a Prospect parent, she served on the board for several years as well as the Tuscan PTA and the SOMSD Special Education Parents Advisory Committee. She considers the mom friends she made through Prospect to still be very much part of her 'village' and she is looking forward to returning to teach at Prospect after a break of a couple of years.
Terry DeMonte
Terry teaches the M/W 2s class. Terry earned her Bachelor's degree in Communications at Penn State University and worked in advertising for several years until she realized she wanted something different. With the support of her husband, she went back to school and received her Master's in Education at Rutgers University. Terry has never looked back, and has taught in Hoboken, then at another SOMA preschool since 2017, and is very excited to join the Prospect community. Both her children attended Prospect and most recently her son graduated from the looping class—so she's very happy to keep Prospect in her life. You might see her walking her two doodles around (Snuffy and Ruby), winning costume contests at the Prospect fundraiser, or her giant Penn State flag outside her house on game day.
