Embedded Files
Our roots..
Treehouse opened as a Family Childcare program in 2012, once just called "Miss Jenn's". Owner and President of Treehouse - Jennifer M. Michaelian - began a home-based program on July 11, 2012. The program opened with two enrolled children - her oldest son, Tyler Michaelian (who was 11 weeks old) and a beautiful blonde haired blue-eyed toddler. They are still friends to this day - the roots from which we come are strong!
Miss Jenn's Family Childcare July 2012 - December 2022
The Michaelian family was renting a home on Pease Road when the licensed Family Childcare program first opened - initially offering care only 3 days a week. As enrollment increased, the program began to offer full time care.
As the program - and the Michaelian Family - grew, they purchased a home. Soon the program was licensed for 10 and our first employee was hired! Lori Mutti joined the program in 2014 - and is still working at Treehouse in our Saplings Classroom.
When the Michaelian family was expecting their second child - they knew they would soon need a different classroom space. When later giving tours the Michaelian family would joke that while Jennifer grew a human life, Wayne created a classroom - completing the space just as they welcomed Smith Michaelian into their family. Even during Jennifer Michaelian's "maternity leave" - the program continued to operate with Certified Assistant Teachers providing care. One of these teachers is still working at Treehouse today - Andrea Roman (Early Elms Educator)! From 2015 until 2019 Miss Jenn's provided care in a dedicated classroom space to infants, toddlers, and preschool children.
During the state mandated COVID-19 shutdown, care only stopped for 2 days at Miss Jenn's. We then continued on as the program continued operating for essential workers during the most critical time for child care that we have and hopefully will ever face in our lifetime. During this unique time children attended the program at no cost to families as the state covered tuition at 100% . Immediately before the pandemic, the Michaelian's had been looking at spaces to expand the program in to and had been working on a lease agreement that needed to be halted.
As more people began to return to work, and more programs began to reopen - our program, still located in our home, evolved with the needs of the time to offer Remote Learning for School Age children and Preschool care. At one point we had 7 Remote Learners located throughout our home - in three different school districts and in grades ranging from Kindergarten to 5th grade. We were simultaneously offering Preschool programming in the dedicated classroom space that had once housed our Infant/Toddler/Preschool children. It was during this time that the Preschool officially renamed "Miss's Jenn's" to"Treehouse."
Treehouse - A First Step Learning Center, Inc. - Center Based Program (November 3, 2021 - present day)
As school-aged children returned to school, the Michaelian's again began to consider moving the program to a center-based environment. It was at that time that they discovered the sale of the previous First Step Nursery School at 310 Maple Street in East longmeadow. After meeting with former owner, Gina O'Connor, the Michaelians and Gina came to a purchasing agreement. Gina and Jenn still remain in touch; Gina has provided ongoing support and encouragement for maintaining the property she and her family built and created as an Early Education and Care environment.
Treehouse - A First Step Learning Center, Inc. opened on November 3, 2021 bringing over 14 children from the original Family Childcare program. The home program remained open for nearly a year after this transition and continued caring for infants, which 310 Maple Street was not yet licensed for. Once we esablished our Saplings - Infant Classroom, the Family Childcare program closed and the infants were relocated to the center program.
We have since expanded into over 100 enrolled children (some part time, some full-time) with over 30 educators on our team.
Treehouse - A First Step Learning Center, Inc. - Expands into 316 Maple Street (January 13, 2025)
On January 13, 2025 Treehouse officially became a campus as we expanded into our adjacent property and opened the doors for our first enrollments in our Powerful Pines Preschool classroom. at 316 Maple Street! Miss Hannah L., the Lead Teacher in this classroom on opening day, began her employment with Treehouse when it was still a Family Childcare program.
In Memory of
Tawny Marie Simmons
March 17, 1986-March 16, 2024
In Memory of
Tawny Marie Simmons
March 17, 1986-March 16, 2024
Tawny Simmons (Infant,Toddler,Preschool Teacher) joined the Treehouse Team in September 2022 and worked in the Mini Oaks toddler classroom as the Lead Teacher until she passed away on March 16, 2024. Miss Tawny, "Tawn Tawn", was 37 years old. Tawny touched many families and hearts with her warm welcome and bold charisma.
Tawny is the mom of Naveyah and Reign, who will forever be in our hearts. She was proud to be a "Girl Mom!" Tawny also helped to raise her Goddaughter and nephew.
Tawny started working in Early Childhood Education as soon as she graduated high school. She started as an Assistant Teacher in an Infant/Toddler classroom and then went on to pursue becoming preschool qualified, which she achieved in 2006.
Tawny also worked with adults with disabilities for many years through a non profit organization.
Tawny loved caring for others and alwats brought a nurturing and positive energy to the classroom and children.
Treehouse celebrated Tawny's work at Treehouse with a candelight vigil held on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 where we spread tea-light candlelights through the outdoor classroom and vowed to continue spreading Tawny's light to the children at Treehouse for years to come.
Tawny is deepy missed by children, families, and her co-workers/friends - our entire Treehouse Community mourns this deeply felt loss.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse