The Teachers and Staff That Make The Preschool Place & Kindergarten The Place for Your Children
We are very proud of our outstanding team of director, teachers, assistants and office staff here at The Preschool Place & Kindergarten. Director, Melissa Reilley-Grecco, has a passion for early childhood education. After graduating from William Paterson University, Mrs. Grecco taught kindergarten for 18 years before transitioning to an administrative role in hopes that she could share her passion and support more students, families and educators as a director.
Each classroom teacher is certified in early childhood education and many teachers hold a Masters of Education. Our teachers are experienced early childhood educators and have over 200 years of combined classroom experience. The majority of our teaching staff have come to us after having had their own children go through our program. As educators and parents they were so impressed with what their children did here that they too wanted to be part of our team.
What we do not only includes educating your children, but educating ourselves. Our staff actively keeps up with the latest research in early childhood education, and attends professional development programs, all with the goal of giving your children the quality education they deserve in their early years. In addition our staff maintains current certifications in both CPR and First Aid.
Appointed 2023 Education/Experience: I am passionately committed to the field of early childhood education. While studying at William Paterson University I had the privilege of working in early education as an infant, toddler and preschool teacher. After graduating I spent 18 years as a kindergarten teacher, curriculum coordinator and education coach. In the…
Appointed: 2010 Education/Experience: BA Rutgers, MBA Seton Hall University. Worked for Merrill Lynch in IT. Fun Facts: All of her children attended The Preschool Place and Kindergarten. She enjoys reading and cooking in her free time.
Appointed: 2019 Education/Experience: Graduated from Rutgers University with a B.A. in Criminal Justice. Certified paralegal – FDU. Mom to three young boys. Fun Facts: All three of Debbie’s boys attended The Preschool Place & Kindergarten. Her youngest is currently enrolled in Kindergarten. In her spare time Debbie enjoys spending time with her family and watching…
Appointed: 2013 Education/Experience: Graduated from the University of Maryland with a B.S. and M.Ed. in Special Education. Taught in the public school systems in Westfield & Edison and did long term substitute teaching in Bridgewater and Branchburg. Was a teacher’s assistant and classroom teacher at the Preschool Place & Kindergarten before taking on this new role.…
Appointed: 2021 Education/Experience: Ruth graduated from Essex County College in 2007 with an Associates degree in Biology. Recently received her Child Development Associate degree (CDA) for preschool children ages 3-5 years old. Has been a preschool teacher for the past 5 years. Fun Facts: Ruth’s hobbies include collecting snow globes, changing her hair color, collecting…
Appointed: 2013 Education/ Experience: B.S. in Early Childhood from Kean College. Fun Facts: Her daughter attended The Preschool Place Kindergarten and she has been a substitute in our school since 2010. Kellie loves to play tennis.
Appointed: 2020 Education/Experience: Graduated from Syracuse University with a B.S. Dianne has been teaching in Early Childhood Education for over 18 years. Fun Facts: Dianne and her husband love when their children come back home for the holidays or for a visit on the weekends. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends…
Appointed: 2015 Education/Experience: Master of Education from East Stroudsburg University with Reading Specialist certification; Bachelor of Science from East Stroudsburg University with a dual Major in Early Childhood/Elementary Education. She taught Kindergarten-2nd grade for 12 years in Chatham, NJ, and Nazareth, PA. Fun Facts: Her children, Matthew and Sarah, both attended the Preschool Place. Mrs.…
Appointed: 1988 Education/Experience: Ginny has a (CDA) Child Development Associate Credential. She is a graduate of Bridgewater-Raritan High School and attended Raritan Valley Community College. She has also completed numerous courses and seminars relating to early childhood development. Fun Facts: Ginny looks forward to continuing to nurture, teach, and help children realize how special they…