Our Story

My childhood memories consist of running around in the woods with the neighborhood children. One day, we decided to build “houses” among the trees and shrubs in my backyard. So became, “Kid Town.”

“Kid Town” became a neighborhood staple. Me, my brothers, cousin and neighbors spent countless hours trimming tree branches, building walls out of sticks, creating beds and just playing in nature. Thus grew my passion for nature. When I grew up and played outside less, I enjoyed watching my younger brother and younger neighbors continue the tradition of “Kid Town” until they too grew up.

Fast forward to college, where I attended Colby-Sawyer College in New London, New Hampshire. I knew I wanted to work with kids; I loved babies and toddlers, and enjoyed “teaching” my younger brothers while they played school growing up. However, I wasn’t sure teaching in a classroom was for me. I wasn’t sure if the worksheets and tests were where I wanted to be. However, upon becoming involved in the Windy Hill School, Colby-Sawyer’s on-site laboratory school, I became aware of the Reggio Emilia theory of teaching, and I finally knew what I wanted to do.

The Reggio-inspired school opened a door for me. I found a passion for instilling a love of learning in children through play, the environment, and nature. I completed my senior capstone as a teaching intern at Windy Hill. My project was “Children in Nature” and explored how to incorporate nature in the classroom and use it as a way to teach to the different subjects such as literacy, math, social studies and science.

Upon graduating in 2009, I began teaching at Beginnings School in Weston. There I created the schools first ever outdoor classroom. Together with my co-teacher, we enlisted the help of our young preschool classroom to clear a space outside of the school. Using rakes, the children cleared the leaves and debris. They spent hours exploring the nature below a massive oak tree, looking for insects, inspecting plants, and investigating a stream. The children were invested in learning about everything that took place under that tree. Again, my passion for learning in nature continued.

The next step in my journey was a teaching position at Beacon Hill Nursery school. While this school stands in the heart of Boston, with little nature available, it was a beautiful example of a Reggio-inspired school. I learned under the tutelage of my experienced colleagues, and loved every second that I spent there.

After starting a family, I knew that traveling to Boston was out of the question. I really wanted my son to attend a Reggio-inspired school, but bringing him into the city to attend Beacon Hill Nursery was not going to work for our family. So, I decided that building my own school was the only thing that I could do.

I spent some time pondering the name for my school. I tossed around some ideas, knowing it needed to tie in my love for nature and incorporate the fantastic outdoor space I had planned. While out for a run with my son, I saw an awesome backyard that had a bunch of tress cut down. There were tree limbs for climbing and large wood chip piles for digging! There was also a swing-set, an obvious sign that children often played there. I thought, what a cool place to play. I remember playing in Kid Town…and thats when it hit me. This whole idea started with Kid Town, it only grew from there. So, hence the name Kid Town Nursery School.

I look forward to passing on my love of learning, the joy of being little, and a passion for the world in nature to your children.

-Kristen

Meet The Team

Miss Kristen

Osprey Teacher

Director

Kristen received a Bachelors of Science in Child Development from Colby-Sawyer College. Upon gradation, Kristen spent 4 years at Beginnings School of Weston, where she worked with infants through Pre-K. Following her time at Beginnings, Kristen taught at Beacon Hill Nursery School for 4 years, teaching toddlers through Pre-K, before the birth of her son in March of 2017. Prior to opening KTNS, she was the Director of Volleyball at Mass Premier Courts where she ran all aspects of their club and recreational volleyball programs.

Kristen is a life-long resident of Mansfield and a self proclaimed “townie.” She lives with her husband Ben, six year old son James and three year old daughter Madeline. In her free time, Kristen enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also loves her time on the lake or at the beach, listening to country music, and playing volleyball

Miss Sue

Osprey Teacher

Hi, I’m Sue Merola, and I’m so excited to be joining the staff of Kid Town! I have been working with and caring for children for almost 50 years in a variety of capacities. I started out babysitting for my nephews and niece as a young teenager which led to a job as a summer camp counselor for the Easton Recreation Department. After 2 years of college for biomedical engineering, I decided my passion was in nurturing children. I secured a job in a daycare with children ages 6 weeks to 12 years, and while working there full time for the next 6 years, I continued my education until I was certified to work with all ages as well as director certified. I then took over as director for the next 4 years during which time I married my husband, Ron, and had 2 children, Samantha ( aka Miss Sam of the Sparrow classroom) and Christopher. Wanting to spend more time with my own children spurred me to leave the center and open my own home day care for 6 children. I continued that until Sam went to kindergarten. When Chris went to kindergarten the following year, I was offered a job at their K-3 elementary school in Easton as a paraprofessional working with children with learning disabilities. After 20 years in that position, I retired from Easton Public Schools in 2018. Since then, I’ve enjoyed spending time with my family, painting, baking, reading and playing with my grandchildren, Emily and Benny.

Miss Cassie

Chickadee Teacher

Hi, I’m Cassie Carnathan! I’m a former parent here at Kid Town and I am so excited to join the teaching staff this year! I’ve loved working with and caring for children since I was a kid myself. I completed a “Babysitters Course” through the YMCA when I was 12 years old and have been taking care of kids ever since! I attended North Attleboro High School where I completed the Early Childhood and Education program and earned my EEC teaching certificate upon graduating. In 2008 I began teaching preschool at a Reggio Emilia inspired school and fell in love with the style and ideology. I fully believe that children learn best through play and when they are fully engaged in the “work” they are doing. I love being outside and am currently a Cub Scout leader in Pack 12 of North Attleboro for a den of 5 & 6 year olds. I enjoy incorporating outdoor elements into as many areas of learning as possible and am very eager to utilize our outdoor classroom. I’ve also cared for infants up to preteens as a nanny, was a stay-at-home mom for 12 years, and a co-op homeschool teacher during and following the COVID pandemic. With all 3 of my children in public school now I’m ready to return to my passion, fostering the curiosity and growth of young minds!

Miss Leah

Chickadee Teacher

Hi, I'm Leah! I live in Franklin with my husband Dave and my four kids. Cole is 17- Cade is 13 -Dylan is 8 and Livia is 3. I have two dogs, Bailey is our golden retriever and Bella is our black Labrador. I love the beach and shopping. We are a crazy Disney family and we try to go as much as possible! I grew up in Boston and moved to Needham for high school. I had a big Irish extended family. I had many cousins of all ages. We spent most Sundays at my house having dinner together. My house was the busy house growing up - Always full of family and friends. Our neighborhood was full of kids. We always had kids in our yard or playing in the playroom. I was the neighborhood mother’s helper. I had jobs at age 12. I was a dancer and if I wasn’t dancing I was babysitting. I started at a small private preschool as a volunteer when I was 14. I ended up stay there for 13 years! I don’t think there was ever a time in my life when I didn’t have kids around. I love being with your kiddos every day! Thank you for sharing them with me!

Miss Sam

Sparrow/Extended Day Teacher

Sam is working towards her Bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology from Fisher College and has years of experience as an early childhood teacher ranging from two-year-olds through kindergarten. She volunteered a year of service to the AmeriCorps program Jumpstart as a team leader with children ages three to five, providing emotional and social support, assisting with school readiness and instilling a love for learning. Sam is a mom to two children and loves spending time outdoors with them and exploring new places together. She has a passion for child-led and play-based learning and is happy to have the opportunity to teach at a Reggio Emilia inspired school! Sam can’t wait to get to know all of the children at Kid Town and watch as they grow, play, and learn together

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Miss Alijha

Sparrow/Extended Day Teacher

Hi, my name is Miss Alijha and I am so excited to be joining the Kid Town Nursery School teaching team! I am a mom to my 1-year-old son Bryson and love spending time outdoors with him and seeing the world through his eyes which is what drew me to KTNS given that much of the day is spent outside! I have been working with children in a professional setting for 5 years now, and babysat for family friends for about 4 years prior to that. I am certified to work with all ages infant-preschool but will be with the toddlers at KTNS! I love watching children explore their environment and learn new things and am so excited to get to know all of the children and watch them explore and learn!

Miss Sabrina

Float Teacher/Extended Day Teacher

Hello my name is Miss Sabrina! I am excited to build a close relationship with not only the staff members but every child that I encounter here at kid town. As a child my family always referred to me as “the mother hen” because I was always caring for my older brother and younger cousins. I have always been very nurturing and I loved to play “school/teacher” as a kid. Back in 2016, as a freshman in Attleboro High School I joined an Early Education program to further my education in childcare. Then in junior year I started my first job and worked for a morning and after school program called ABACUS with the preschool class. I was there for about 2 years and then moved and worked at the Attleboro YMCA childcare and got experience with infants up to pre-k and was there for about 3 years which helped me to earn my certificate as an infant toddler teacher as well as a preschool teacher and that’s what led me here to kid town! In my free time I like to spend time being outside, going shopping, hanging with my family and my boyfriend who I’ve been with for 7 years.

Miss Meghan

Float Teacher/Extended Day Teacher

Hi! My name is Meghan. I am new this year to KTNS. I grew up in Easton and have always loved working with young children. I first discovered my passion for early childhood education in high school while working at Easton Learning Adventures Preschool. After graduating Oliver Ames, I attended James Madison University and Massasoit Community College, and I am continuing to pursue my degree in Early Childhood Education. I have experience working with children from infancy through Pre-K at The Children's Learning Express Center in Norton as well as Mansfield Children's Center. I am Infant/Toddler teacher certified through EEC. I am so excited to be joining a Reggio Emilia-inspired center, as I am passionate about nature-based, child-led learning. Outside the classroom, I love spending time outdoors with my dogs. Fitness is another passion of mine, I am also a certified personal trainer and have been working in the fitness field for the past few years, but I am so excited to be returning to the classroom full-time!

Miss Ashlyn

Osprey Assistant/Float Teacher

Hi! My name is Miss Ashlyn and I’m so excited to start working at Kid Town Nursery! I live in Mansfield, and I attend Bridgewater State University. I am working towards my bachelors degree in Special Education (Severe Disabilities), and a minor in Communication Disorders. In my free time I love spending time on the farm with horses, and spend time with family and friends. I also enjoy helping with Special Olympics Basketball in my town. I also work as a paraprofessional in Norton during the summer as well as running my own face painting business. I can’t wait to meet all of the kids and be a part of the team to make their learning experience memorable!

Miss Tessa

Extended Day Assistant Teacher

Hi! My name is Miss Tessa. I am so excited to be working at Kid Town Nursery School! I am currently a senior at Mansfield High School and will be graduating in the spring. I will be working as an extended day Teacher's Assistant after my school days. I also work as a nanny in the summer and babysit for various families. After working at a different childcare center, I knew I loved working with children and wanted to find a place best fit for me. In my free time I love to hang out with my friends and family and I also play volleyball. Kid Town Nursery School is an amazing center where each and every kid is given a place to grow and learn, and I am so appreciative to be a part of it!