About
It Takes a Village offers children activities such as dance, yoga, painting, music, singing, and foreign language. The program includes enrichment classes taught by committed members of the community. It Takes a Village uses a nationally Certified Outdoor Classroom and a certified Nature Explore outdoor classroom as part of its daily teaching environment.
• Ages: 3–5 years old
• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 9am–3pm
• Price: Tuition and billing will be determined and activated when the enrollment form is signed.
It Takes a Village describes itself as a true blend of educational philosophies that interlace to provide a whole-child approach, giving equal importance to each child’s physical, emotional, social, and academic needs. The program states that whole child development happens both inside and outside the traditional classroom, and its outdoor classroom plays an integral part in promoting confidence and awareness. It Takes a Village is a collaboration between three local mothers seeking quality education for their children and community, and it is described as a grassroots movement between mothers and friends who are choosing to create this program themselves.
The mission of It Takes a Village is to create a community-based school where three- and four-year-old children can take advantage of teachable moments that happen every day. The mission further states that professionals foster the intellectual, creative, social, emotional, and physical development of students while inspiring a lifelong commitment to learning. The program also seeks to create a caring and cooperative school environment that promotes civic mindedness, positive social relationships, and respectful interaction inside and outside the school community.
It Takes a Village is led by owners and directors Maryann McCormack and Hilary Rose, along with owner and head teacher Michelle Kelly. Head teachers include Michele Chekijian and Brianna Wilds, and assistant teachers include Ms. Anja, Ms. Maddie, Ms. Ally, Ms. Regina, and Ms. Mellissa. Maryann has over twenty years of experience practicing physical therapy with expertise in pediatric, early intervention, and school-based settings, including work with children with multiple disabilities and diagnoses in homes and schools. Hilary has well over twenty years of teaching experience, many in early primary grades, is dually certified in preschool and special education in New York State, and draws educational inspiration from Waldorf and Montessori programs. Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin and a degree in Health Science from the Swedish Institute of Massage Therapy, has worked as a nanny for over 12 years in New York City, and has pursued Child Development Certification. Michele obtained a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Pace University, a master’s degree in literacy from LIU, has experience as a published author, and completed a Yoga and Social Emotional facilitation certification. Brianna studied behavioral science with a focus in early childhood education.
It Takes a Village is one of only seven preschools in Suffolk County with a nationally Certified Outdoor Classroom and one of only fifteen certified Nature Explore outdoor classrooms. The program states that its outdoor classroom plays an integral part in promoting confidence and awareness and that it teaches children in this outdoor classroom every day.
In terms of community involvement, It Takes a Village is described as a collaboration between three local mothers seeking the best quality education for their children and community and seeks families committed to the educational well-being of their child and the broader community. Beginning in 2016, Hilary became a trustee on the Hampton Bays Public Library board and advocates for the children of Hampton Bays through her work at the library. While raising her family, Michelle created and facilitated Baby Bliss, a support group for new or expectant mothers, serves as co-president of the Hampton Bays Mothers Association (HBMA), and is active on the board of the Long Island Birth Network (LIBN).
Last updated February 7, 2026.
• Ages: 3–5 years old
• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 9am–3pm
• Price: Tuition and billing will be determined and activated when the enrollment form is signed.
It Takes a Village describes itself as a true blend of educational philosophies that interlace to provide a whole-child approach, giving equal importance to each child’s physical, emotional, social, and academic needs. The program states that whole child development happens both inside and outside the traditional classroom, and its outdoor classroom plays an integral part in promoting confidence and awareness. It Takes a Village is a collaboration between three local mothers seeking quality education for their children and community, and it is described as a grassroots movement between mothers and friends who are choosing to create this program themselves.
The mission of It Takes a Village is to create a community-based school where three- and four-year-old children can take advantage of teachable moments that happen every day. The mission further states that professionals foster the intellectual, creative, social, emotional, and physical development of students while inspiring a lifelong commitment to learning. The program also seeks to create a caring and cooperative school environment that promotes civic mindedness, positive social relationships, and respectful interaction inside and outside the school community.
It Takes a Village is led by owners and directors Maryann McCormack and Hilary Rose, along with owner and head teacher Michelle Kelly. Head teachers include Michele Chekijian and Brianna Wilds, and assistant teachers include Ms. Anja, Ms. Maddie, Ms. Ally, Ms. Regina, and Ms. Mellissa. Maryann has over twenty years of experience practicing physical therapy with expertise in pediatric, early intervention, and school-based settings, including work with children with multiple disabilities and diagnoses in homes and schools. Hilary has well over twenty years of teaching experience, many in early primary grades, is dually certified in preschool and special education in New York State, and draws educational inspiration from Waldorf and Montessori programs. Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin and a degree in Health Science from the Swedish Institute of Massage Therapy, has worked as a nanny for over 12 years in New York City, and has pursued Child Development Certification. Michele obtained a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Pace University, a master’s degree in literacy from LIU, has experience as a published author, and completed a Yoga and Social Emotional facilitation certification. Brianna studied behavioral science with a focus in early childhood education.
It Takes a Village is one of only seven preschools in Suffolk County with a nationally Certified Outdoor Classroom and one of only fifteen certified Nature Explore outdoor classrooms. The program states that its outdoor classroom plays an integral part in promoting confidence and awareness and that it teaches children in this outdoor classroom every day.
In terms of community involvement, It Takes a Village is described as a collaboration between three local mothers seeking the best quality education for their children and community and seeks families committed to the educational well-being of their child and the broader community. Beginning in 2016, Hilary became a trustee on the Hampton Bays Public Library board and advocates for the children of Hampton Bays through her work at the library. While raising her family, Michelle created and facilitated Baby Bliss, a support group for new or expectant mothers, serves as co-president of the Hampton Bays Mothers Association (HBMA), and is active on the board of the Long Island Birth Network (LIBN).
Last updated February 7, 2026.
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