About
OUR HISTORY
Montpelier Children's House was founded in 1984 by Larry Parker, with the goal of providing high-quality, accessible early education to the children of Central Vermont. After serving the children and families of his community for nearly thirty years, in 2004 Larry turned over operations to his daughter, Samara Mays, who continues at act as Director and Head Teacher of this family-run program.
In 2017 Montpelier Children’s House was awarded Five STARS through Vermont’s STep Ahead Recognition System and is Pre-Qualified Pre-K Program through Vermont Act 166.
In early 2020, we moved up the hill to Mountainview street, just across the street from National Life. With our new space we have been able to expand to serve children aged 6 weeks through Pre-School. Our new location affords us amazing opportunities for outdoor learning in the fields and forests.
We invite you to contact us with any questions you may have about our program.
Samara Mays, Director
“Early childhood is such an important time for developing one’s relationship with the world. Forging close personal connections, sparking curiosity and learning to problem solve with our youngest students is one of the best ways I can think of to create caring citizens.”
Samara Mays joined Montpelier Children’s House in 2010 and assumed the role of Director in 2012. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont and an M.A. in Rural Sociology from the University of Arkansas. She has completed coursework through The Community College of Vermont, Union Institute and the Vermont State College network and holds a Vermont Teaching License in Early Childhood Education. She lives in Montpelier with her husband, Ryan and their two boys, Ben and Jim who are both MCH alumni.
Our Teaching Staff
The teaching staff at Montpelier Children’s House are committed to providing a play-based, child-lead, and inquiry-driven experience for our preschoolers. Our teachers share a dedication to professionalism in field of early childhood education and engage in ongoing professional development to further support children and families.
Willows (Birth-2 years)
Valerie & Paige
Valerie Ouimet
Valerie Ouimet has been working in the early education field since 1996 after receiving her degree in Elementary Education from Norwich University. Valerie especially loves spending time with infants, but she also loves working with preschoolers. She has a special understanding of working with kids who struggle with self-regulation, sensory issues and autism, after her daughter was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.
Valerie is a lifelong Vermonter who lives in Washington with her husband and her amazing 20 year old daughter, who has been her biggest teacher in life.
“I love making connections with the youngest of children and watching their personalities unfold in front of me. There is so much that happens in the first years-- it just amazes me.”
Paige Montague
Paige has worked in the field of Early Education for over 2o years and has a particular passion for teaching and learning along side children birth through 3 years old. She has a strong commitment to lifelong learning and in addition to a BA in Food Marketing from Johnson & Wales she has earn an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Penn Foster.
Paige has two children, one who is in high-school and the other who has followed her path into early education. She lives in Montpelier with her husband.
Oaks (Pre-k 3)
Amy & Emily
Amy Kilton
Amy Kilton has been teaching at Montpelier Children’s House since August of 2013. She has completed coursework at both Johnson State College and Union Institute. Amy’s best skills have been honed in the trenches of the real world, caring for the many younger cousins provided to her by a gigantic extended family.
Amy grew up in Plainfield Vermont. These days she lives in Montpelier with her lovely daughter, Susanna. Amy spends her time cooking, baking, hiking, enjoying live music and taking spontaneous adventures.
“Preschoolers are the most interesting people in the world. They are passionate, honest, little people who have a way of teaching you something new every day. I challenge any adult to find a career that fills your bucket every day the way that teaching preschoolers fills mine.”
Emily Montague
Emily joined MCH in the summer of 2021 and brings experience in working with children aged two through school aged and well as in specialized care settings. She is a dedicated and caring educator and is close to completing her Associates Degree in Behavioral Health from the Community College of Vermont
Maples (pre-k 4)
Laura & Samara
Laura Franske
Laura is well into the childcare field, having been inspired by the staff at MCH who have cared for her own children so remarkably. She has completed 45-hours of coursework in early childhood education, and is a current TEACH Scholarship recipient and is working towards Licensure in Early Childhood Education. Laura is passionate about early childhood development and is excited to build off of what she’s learned to become an effective educator. Laura is a former zoo keeper at the Bronx Zoo and zoo nutritionist at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, She holds degrees in animal science.
Laura lives with her husband, two sons, and a wonderful rescue dog, Digby. She lives for sunny days spent biking around town, and loves finding time for yoga, Zumba, or swimming.
“ The more respect and love that we show our children, the more love and respect they will feel for themselves and for the people in their lives.”