Our Toddler Classroom
An action-packed day full of fun and purposeful play helps toddlers develop Active Minds, Healthy Bodies, and Happy Hearts®. We know 1-year-olds are constantly on the move, exploring and learning through play at every turn. Primrose teachers use that energy and enthusiasm to foster cognitive, social, emotional and physical skills through engaging games and activities.
Nurturing Active Minds, Healthy Bodies, and Happy Hearts
Health & Safety
Our school is committed to high standards of safety and cleanliness as we create a caring and nurturing environment where children can thrive.
- Requiring any children or staff with respiratory illness symptoms or fever to return home and stay home until fever free for at least 24 hours
- Frequent disinfecting and sanitizing of high-touch toys
- Frequent handwashing by children and staff, which is embedded in our curriculum and daily staff protocols
- Training teachers on common signs of illness in children, and placing signage in every classroom to keep signs of illness top of mind
- Daily laundering of crib sheets for infants; for older children, individual cots and blankets are provided for each child and laundered weekly
- Ensuring appropriate teacher-student classroom ratios
- Continuous health & safety training for our staff, including first aid and CPR certification
- Maintaining an up-to-date and customized Safe School Plan posted in all classrooms for easy teacher access
Our Toddler Classroom Teachers & Staff
Ms. Marlenis
I’m Ms. Marlenis and I wanted to tell you a little about myself.
I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela. I have I received my Bachelor’s & Masters Degrees in Education. I worked as a teacher for 28 years in my country. I love to see children grow & develop their abilities. I have three daughters and five grandchildren. They are my love and my blessing. I have over 30 years of Early Childhood Education experience. I spent two years at Primrose School of Park Cities and I am so excited to be a part of the Prestonwood family!
I can’t wait to learn more about you and your family.
Child Care/Teaching Experience: 30+ years
Education: Bachelor & Masters Degrees in Education
Favorite Thing About Working with Children: Seeing the children’s smiles and seeing the cognitive and social development they achieve every day
Favorite Children’s Book: Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? By Bill Martin, Jr.
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Other Significant Cultural Celebrations in Your Home: Thanksgiving
Favorite Family Tradition: Making hallacas at Christmas
Languages Spoken in the Home: Spanish & English
Pets in the Home (Name and Type of Animal): Luca (Golden Retriever)
In My Personal Time, I Like To: Reading
Ms. Leslie
I’m Ms. Leslie and I wanted to tell you a little about myself.
I was born in Dallas but moved to Garland, Texas a few years ago. I have two brothers; I’m the middle child. I am really close to my brothers but also consider my cousins my siblings since we’ve done our whole lives together. I love to cook/bake. On Sundays, I usually cook for all my family. I think food is the way to bring people close together. Any food made with love is always a special memory. I have over 3 years of experience in Early Childhood Education and I am so excited to be a part of the Prestonwood family!
I can’t wait to learn more about you and your family.
Child Care/Teaching Experience: 3+ years
Education: currently attending Richland College to obtain my nursing degree
Favorite Thing About Working with Children: Their innocence, the love they radiate with their smiles & laughter makes my heart feel joy!
Favorite Children’s Book: Any of the Pigeon books by Mo Willems; I remember these were one of the first books I was introduced to and I have loved them ever since!
Favorite Holiday: I love all of them!
Other Significant Cultural Celebrations in Your Home:
Favorite Family Tradition: Every summer we visit my family in Tennessee
Languages Spoken in the Home: Spanish
Pets in the Home (Name and Type of Animal):
In My Personal Time, I Like To: Hanging out with my cousins, going sightseeing, trying new places/food, explore the world
Ms. Abby
I’m Ms. Abby and I wanted to tell you a little about myself.
I am from Dallas but I grew up in Garland & Wylie. I have two sisters and a brother. I am very crafty and creative. I love art and doing art projects. I have a year of Early Childhood Education experience and I am so excited to be a part of the Prestonwood family!
I can’t wait to learn more about you and your family.
Child Care/Teaching Experience: one year
Education: High School Diploma
Favorite Thing About Working with Children: Building relationships with them
Favorite Children’s Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Favorite Holiday: Halloween
Other Significant Cultural Celebrations in Your Home:
Favorite Family Tradition: Christmas morning
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Pets in the Home (Name and Type of Animal): Pepper – cat
In My Personal Time, I Like To: Shop, go to concerts and spending time with my loved ones
Ms. Barbara
I’m Ms. Barbara and I wanted to tell you a little about myself.
I am from Venezuela. I grew up in Isla de Margarita, Venezuela. My mom and dad are in Venezuela and will be celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year. I have three sisters and one brother. I am Christian and love Jesus. I love to sing. My favorite food is Italian. I miss my family but God gave me a wonderful partner. I have 3 years of Early Childhood Education experience and I am so excited to be a part of the Prestonwood family!
I can’t wait to learn more about you and your family.
Child Care/Teaching Experience: 3 years including babysitting, as well as a teacher at Flamingo Preschool-Dallas
Education: Bachelor in Social Work from Universidad Central de Venezuela
Favorite Thing About Working with Children: watching them play and learning new things
Favorite Children’s Book: You Matter by Christian Robinson
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Other Significant Cultural Celebrations in Your Home: Christmas with Venezuelan food and Venezuelan music
Favorite Family Tradition: mom & dad’s birthdays
Languages Spoken in the Home: Spanish
Pets in the Home (Name and Type of Animal):
In My Personal Time, I Like To: watching movies and go to the beach
Ms. Jenny
I’m Ms. Jenny and I wanted to tell you a little about myself.
I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. I am very close to my brother and sister. I love to spend time with my family & cooking every Sunday. I recently graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. My long-term goal is to go to law school. I enjoy working with children and watching them grow! I have almost 5 years of Early Childhood Education experience and I am so excited to be a part of the Prestonwood family!
I can’t wait to learn more about you and your family.
Child Care/Teaching Experience: almost 5 years
Education: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Texas State University
Favorite Thing About Working with Children: Creating a bond with them and that they feel confident
Favorite Children’s Book: The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Other Significant Cultural Celebrations in Your Home:
Favorite Family Tradition:
Languages Spoken in the Home: English & Spanish
Pets in the Home (Name and Type of Animal):
In My Personal Time, I Like To: Clean & go to Target
Ms. Maritza
I’m Ms. Maritza and I wanted to tell you a little about myself.
I was born and raised in Dallas. I grew up in North Dallas and recently moved to the Balch Springs area. I have two brothers; one is 17 years old and one is 25 years old. I am the only girl in my family. I have over 6 years of Early Childhood Education experience and I am so excited to be a part of the Prestonwood family!
I can’t wait to learn more about you and your family.
Child Care/Teaching Experience: 6+ years
Education: High School Diploma
Favorite Thing About Working with Children: Every day is something new
Favorite Children’s Book: Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Other Significant Cultural Celebrations in Your Home:
Favorite Family Tradition: Thanksgiving
Languages Spoken in the Home: Spanish
Pets in the Home (Name and Type of Animal): 2 Dogs: Toby & Nickey
In My Personal Time, I Like To: Watch movies & hang with my best friend
Ms. Keyla
I’m Ms. Keyla and I wanted to tell you a little about myself.
I am from and grew up in The Valley. I have two older siblings and 2 nephews. I am a very funny outgoing person and I love laughing and smiling. I’m a very happy person & rarely have any bad days. I am new to Early Childhood Education and I am so excited to be a part of the Prestonwood family!
I can’t wait to learn more about you and your family.
Child Care/Teaching Experience: My childcare experience comes from taking care of my nephews
Education: High School diploma
Favorite Thing About Working with Children: Seeing the children with a smile on their faces
Favorite Children’s Book:
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Other Significant Cultural Celebrations in Your Home:
Favorite Family Tradition:
Languages Spoken in the Home: English & Spanish
Pets in the Home (Name and Type of Animal):
In My Personal Time, I Like To: clean & catch up on my TV shows
Ms. Lauren
Let’s get to know each other.
I’m Ms. Lauren and I wanted to tell you a little about myself.
I am originally from St. Louis, Missouri. I grew up in St. Louis as well as Washington State and North Carolina because my stepdad was in the army. I have a younger brother, Sam, and a young sister, Molly. I also have an older brother, Phil. My sister Molly also moved from North Carolina to Dallas with me. I love to cook and do arts & crafts. I have 10 years of Early Childhood Education experience and I am so excited to be a part of the Prestonwood family!
I can’t wait to learn more about you and your family.
Child Care/Teaching Experience: 10+ years in childcare; 2 years as a live-in nanny
Education: High School Diploma & Aveda Institute at Chapel Hill
Favorite Thing About Working with Children: Watching them grow, learn and become their own little person while knowing I helped play a part in their lives
Favorite Children’s Book: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Favorite Holiday: Halloween
Other Significant Cultural Celebrations in Your Home:
Favorite Family Tradition: Getting pajamas and watching a movie every Christmas with my family; celebrating each new season
Languages Spoken in the Home: English
Pets in the Home (Name and Type of Animal): Potato & Baby – both cats
In My Personal Time, I Like To: Relaxing at home, cooking, watching TV, playing with my cats; being outside & trying new things in my new city
