About Us

Students playing around the huge sugar maple in our playground.

Philosophy

St. Mark’s Toddler Playgroup is based on the philosophy that two-year-old children, both typically developing and those with special needs, benefit from a developmentally appropriate group experience where they are comfortable to explore and learn. During the early years, cognitive, speech-language, social-emotion and motor skills develop rapidly. The Playgroup offers a loving and stimulating program that facilitates development in all of these areas through play. Play is seen as the most natural and important teaching context in early childhood. It is through play that children actively explore their environment, manipulate objects, interact with others, communicate, and learn about themselves.

Licensing

St. Mark’s Toddler Playgroup is licensed by the Office of Early Childhood of the State of Connecticut’s Department of Public Health. Click here to view our licensing status.

We direct you to visit the State of Connecticut’s e-license lookup tool if you would like to look up our license on your own. Our license number is “DCGH.00499.”

Our Teachers

Amy Gilbert, Director

Amy Gilbert has over 10 years’ experience working with young children and families. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education and a background that includes educational assistance for children with special needs.

Ms. Amy gained familiarity with the preschool setting during her employment at Mitchell College Children’s Center. Following that, she went on to become an Early Interventionist with LEARN’s Birth to Three Program. Over the next 9 years she worked closely with families in their home setting. During this time Ms. Amy grew to love being a part of early childhood education.

She currently lives in Uncasville with her husband and 3 children.

Peggy Pearse, Head Teacher

Originally from North Carolina (Ms. Peggy) Peg Pearse has lived in Mystic since the mid-1990s. She received a Bachelors Degree in Social Work at Meredith College in Raleigh, N.C. and then moved to Boulder, Colorado. In Colorado, Peg attended the Montessori Education of the Rockies where she was certified as a Montessori teacher to teach ages 3-5. Peg worked many years as a Montessori Teacher in Colorado and Connecticut. She has also experience working in traditional preschools as well in the area. Before joining the staff of the Playgroup, Peg served as a substitute teacher on numerous occasions.

Peg lives in Mystic with her husband and welcomes her three grown daughters home whenever they’re in town. She has been with the playgroup since 2015.

Catie Taylor, Teacher

Catie, originally from Maryland, has been working with kids and families for over a decade. She has a BFA in photography and has a passion for music and art therapy. She lives in Ledyard with her husband, Stefano, her two dogs Ruby and Luna, and a cat named Pan.

Enjoying a visit from a scaly friend brought by the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center.

Board of Directors

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church is the originator of this inclusive toddler program. The St. Mark’s Toddler Playgroup Board oversees the program for the Vestry of St. Mark’s Church. This board consists of members from St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, including the Rector, the community at large, and representatives of the families enrolled in the program. The board meets approximately once a month. The board has a chairperson, secretary, and treasurer to carry out administrative needs such as collection of fees and correspondence. The primary roles of the board are to maintain the integrity of the purpose and philosophy of the program, seek grants, and do fund-raising to provide scholarships.

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