pre-k student doing a stem project

Our Pre-Kindergarten Classroom

Primrose® introduces and reinforces new information through playful exploration, teacher-guided inquiry and rich discussion as they help foster Active Minds, Healthy Bodies, and Happy Hearts®. Your child will have fun every day as they play and learn important academic skills, social skills and more, because when they are mentally, physically and emotionally ready to learn a skill, they develop mastery.

Nurturing Active Minds, Healthy Bodies, and Happy Hearts

Health and Safety
Health and Safety

Health & Safety

Pre-K is the year children start to feel the pull of what’s next. They’re capable, curious, and ready to be taken seriously, and our environment reflects that. At Primrose Burlington, our health and safety practices are built around children who are developing real independence, including the ability to recognize and manage their own needs.

  • Illness policy with no exceptions: Any child or staff member with a fever goes home and stays home until fever-free for at least 24 hours. No gray areas.
  • High-touch surfaces sanitized throughout the day: Toys, tables, and shared surfaces are disinfected continuously, not just at opening and closing.
  • Individual cots for every child: Each child has their own cot and blankets for quiet time, laundered weekly. Nothing is shared.
  • Quiet time, not forced napping: Pre-K children rest and recharge on their own terms, reading, drawing, or simply being still. It’s a skill kindergarten will ask of them, and we practice it here.
  • Handwashing as an owned habit: By Pre-K, handwashing isn’t something teachers remind children to do, it’s something children do. We’ve built that consistency across every year of their time here.
  • Ratios that support independence: Our classroom ratios give teachers the space to step back and let children lead, while staying close enough to guide when it matters.
  • CPR and first aid certified, every teacher: Every staff member holds current infant and child CPR and first aid certification. All of them, not just some.
  • Illness recognition training: Teachers are trained to recognize early signs of illness in young children, with visual reminders in every classroom keeping it top of mind.
  • A Safe School Plan in every classroom: Our customized Safe School Plan, developed in partnership with Burlington Police Department, is posted in every room and trained on recurrently, so teachers know exactly what to do, every time.

Our Pre-Kindergarten Classroom Teachers & Staff

Ms. Paige Cohen
Ms. Paige Cohen
Pre-Kindergarten Faculty Member

Ms. Paige Cohen is a Pre-K teacher in Room 13 who brings both professional experience and genuine connection to her work with young children. With experience teaching Pre-K students, additional experience as a nanny, and coursework in Early Childhood Education, Ms. Cohen focuses on helping children build confidence, independence, and strong foundational skills. She maintains CPR and First Aid certification and is committed to supporting children’s growth during these important early years.

In the classroom, Ms. Cohen uses small-group literacy instruction and differentiated learning activities to meet children where they are and support their individual growth. She believes strong relationships are at the heart of a successful school experience and makes it a priority to connect with each child one-on-one every day. By learning what makes each student smile, what motivates them, and what support they need, she creates meaningful learning experiences that address both academic and social-emotional development. She also enjoys bringing elements of nature into the classroom and building partnerships with families throughout the school year.

What Ms. Cohen enjoys most about early childhood education is the joy, curiosity, and energy young children bring each day. She finds it especially rewarding to play a positive role in a child’s early years and help them recognize their own abilities. Outside of school, Ms. Cohen has lived in five countries and traveled to 18, including a memorable trip to Tanzania where she helped build an elementary school. Whenever possible, she enjoys spending time near the beach.

Ms. Lucy John
Ms. Lucy John
Pre-Kindergarten Faculty Member

Ms. John brings patience, empathy, and a genuine passion for working with young children to her role as an Early Preschool teacher at the Primrose School of Burlington. She holds a Master’s degree from Boston University and chose Primrose because she enjoys supporting young learners during their early stages of development.

In the classroom, Ms. John creates a nurturing and supportive environment where children feel comfortable learning, exploring, and growing. She is dedicated to helping children build confidence while supporting their social and emotional development. In her free time, Ms. John enjoys reading, cooking, and exploring new places.

Ms. John is excited to continue learning and growing in her role while gaining confidence as an educator and building meaningful connections with the children in her care. She looks forward to supporting each child as they develop new skills and reach important milestones.

Mrs. Kateryna Hanulia (Returning October 2026)
3 Years of ExperienceJoined 2023
Mrs. Kateryna Hanulia (Returning October 2026)
Pre-Kindergarten Faculty Member

Mrs. Kateryna Hanulia became a member of the Primrose School of Burlington community in October 2023, taking on the role of Pre-K support. Her decision to join Primrose was driven by the school’s policies and the sense of belongingness it fosters within its community.

With a strong academic background, Mrs. Hanulia holds a BA in Philology and an MA in Language and Literature. Her educational qualifications, coupled with her extensive experience of almost 8 years working with children, contribute to her wealth of knowledge in language development and literature.

Mrs. Kateryna Hanulia’s rich background in language and literature, combined with her passion for working with children, makes her a valuable addition to the Primrose team. Her commitment to enhancing her skills and contributing to the educational journey of students aligns with the school’s mission of fostering a love for learning and providing a strong foundation for children’s future success. The Primrose School of Burlington is excited to have Mrs. Hanulia on board.

Ms. Paula Mistretta
Ms. Paula Mistretta
Pre-Kindergarten Faculty Member

Ms. Paula Mistretta is a Pre-K Teacher at Primrose School of Burlington, where she brings more than 13 years of early childhood education experience to the classroom. She holds an associate degree in early childhood education and is EEC teacher certified for infants and pre-kindergarten. Paula is also CPR certified and has experience working with infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children across multiple childcare settings. Her broad background helps her support children through important developmental stages while building strong classroom routines and meaningful connections with families.

Paula enjoys helping children grow socially, emotionally, and academically during the early years when so much development takes place. She believes children learn best when they feel heard, respected, and encouraged, and she focuses on building communication skills, empathy, and confidence within her classroom community. Her teaching approach emphasizes patience, kindness, and helping children understand and express their feelings in healthy ways.

Outside of school, Paula enjoys relaxing after busy days by spending time with her nieces and nephew and caring for her pets. During the summer, she especially enjoys trips to Hampton Beach and attending concerts with her sister and friends.

Mr. Caio Fernandes
Mr. Caio Fernandes
Pre-Kindergarten Faculty Member

Mr. Caio Fernandes brings enthusiasm, empathy, and a passion for education to his role as a Preschool Support Teacher at the Primrose School of Burlington. A graduate of Southern New Hampshire University, Mr. Fernandes chose Primrose to pursue his passion for working with children and to make a meaningful, positive impact in the lives of students and families.

Known for his patience, positive energy, and creativity, Mr. Fernandes is committed to creating a joyful, safe, and supportive classroom environment. He is excited to build strong connections with both students and colleagues, working as a team to ensure every child feels happy, engaged, and valued each day.

Mr. Fernandes prides himself on his strong communication skills and ability to connect with both parents and children. With a background in physical education and a talent for leading fun, interactive activities, he brings movement, energy, and excitement into the classroom. As he continues to grow in the field of education and pursue higher learning, Mr. Fernandes remains dedicated to inspiring young minds and building a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Ms. Sydney Giardina
Ms. Sydney Giardina
Pre-Kindergarten Support Staff

Ms. Sydney Giardina is a Pre-K Support Teacher at Primrose School of Burlington, where she brings six years of experience in both elementary and early childhood education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a minor in Psychology, as well as a master’s degree in Elementary Education and certification in elementary education. Before joining Primrose, Ms. Giardina taught kindergarten for two years at Mystic Valley Regional Charter School and spent two years teaching English to primary school students in Spain, experiences that strengthened her ability to connect with children from diverse backgrounds.

In the classroom, Ms. Giardina enjoys helping young learners build early literacy skills through small-group instruction and hands-on activities. She incorporates games and movement into daily learning to keep children engaged while supporting their academic growth. She values building genuine relationships with each child by learning about their interests, creating a foundation of trust that helps children gain confidence and participate with enthusiasm.

One of Ms. Giardina’s favorite parts of working with young children is watching them become more confident as they discover new skills. Outside of school, she loves to travel and has visited more than 30 countries, bringing a broad perspective and appreciation for different cultures into her work with children and families.

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pre-k class creating an art projectchild enjoying circle time with classchild and teacher painting in classprimrose student playing with playdou with teacherstudent and teacher hugginglittle girl playing on playgroundpre-k class creating an art projectchild enjoying circle time with classchild and teacher painting in classprimrose student playing with playdou with teacherstudent and teacher hugginglittle girl playing on playground
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This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. We will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable registration and disclosure requirements in your jurisdiction. Contact Primrose School Franchising SPE, LLC, 3200 Windy Hill Road SE, Suite 1200E, Atlanta, GA 30339, to request a copy of our FDD.

*Study was conducted on a representative sample of Primrose Pre-Kindergarten students across twelve Primrose schools in nine states in the Spring of 2024. The Bracken School Readiness Assessment 4th Edition assesses children’s school readiness in terms of their understanding of concepts that are strongly related to early childhood cognitive and language development as well as early academic achievement.

**Based upon recent assessments of approximately 3,900 Primrose students aged 4 screened using the Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition during the 2024-2025 school year. Ages & Stages Questionnaires® and ASQ® are registered trademarks of Paul H Brookes Publishing Co, Inc.