What Makes Us Unique
WHO WE ARE
preschool program staff
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Ashley Nienaber is our lead teacher at NannyBoo's Preschool on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. As our "Music Together Specialist", she integrates weekly Music Together sessions as part of the standard preschool day. Ashley holds a degree in Speech Pathology with an emphasis in Early Childhood Education. After the experience of birthing her second son at home, she became a trained doula and has supported birthing families over 10 years. When her 3 sons started school, she went back to her early childhood roots working as a preschool educator and reading interventionist in South Seattle. A creative at heart, Ashley delights in pairing her love of music with her background in family-supported child development. Singing and playing the piano since she was a child in a variety of capacities, Ashley feels that making music together with others is one of life's greatest gifts we can share. Being a Music Together Specialist feels like a unique blending of many of her passions. She looks forward to building a musical community together!
Kim Weatherby is the Owner and Administrator for NannyBoo Schools (Columbia City and Beacon Hill Location). She oversees Preschool and Pre-K Programming, both in the Standard Day and Extended Day Program. She and her husband Joe have been married for 24 years and have two daughters ages 19 and 15. *Her girls are pictured at their pre-k and preschool age above. Kim graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Social Work. Prior to teaching at NannyBoo's, Kim worked with youth and families in the Rainier Valley for 20 years. She’s been a Social Worker, After School and Summer Program Director, and Non-Profit Administrator for an outdoor preschool program for children with special needs. She also directed a transitional housing program for homeless individuals and families. Kim loves identifying the strengths in people of all ages and giving them opportunities to shine. She celebrates different energy levels, personalities, intelligences, and cultures.
Jamie Alm is our lead teacher at NannyBoo's Preschool on Wednesdays and Fridays. Playing, listening, storytelling, and building connections are what bring her joy! As a licensed Speech-Language Therapist (SLT), she brings a speech-language lens to the classroom and provides coaching to students and staff alike. Jamie delights in supporting spaces where children of all abilities can flourish as they embark on the lifelong task of using their words to navigate complex social interactions. Jamie’s SLT practice has been informed by her training in cross disciplinary fields of Narrative Medicine and Infant Mental Health; but her deepest formation has come from learning alongside children with disabilities and their families. She has been shaped by the children and families encountered across the years at Highline Public Schools, in Early Intervention (0-3) at Childhaven, and at HopeCentral’s NEST Autism Intervention program.​ Jamie and her husband Andy live with their three daughters in the Seward Park Neighborhood. When Jamie is not playing with NannyBoo kids or her own kids, she is playing with words. Jamie loves to read and to write.​
Conan Rinehardt is the M-F assistant teacher. As a professional drummer and DJ, he uses music from various genres, decades, and composers to fuel creativity for young children and can definitely keep a preschool dance party going! Conan is passionate about teaching and working with kids; and has worked with 2-5 year olds in preschool and wilderness camp settings, K-8th graders in church mentorship programs, and taught marching snare at Lake Stevens High School. Conan continues to teach private drum lessons and plays with local jazz bands, pop bands, and orchestras while professionally DJ'ing with a leading Seattle events company.
We honor our founders and school namesake!
NannyBoo’s Preschool was founded in 2006 by Eric and Boo Bakke. Their love for children and passion to see them grow to be kind and loving individuals led them to co-develop the "good friend" curriculum which focuses on social-emotional learning. In 2017 they helped launch NannyBoo's Pre-K with Kim Weatherby. Together, the Preschool and Pre-K have served hundreds of families in South Seattle for 20 years. As the current owner of both schools, Kim is truly honored to continue Boo and Eric's legacy of joyful, creative, "good friend" programming for years to come.
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Children learn best when they feel known and loved.
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Play is a young child’s work, and is how they best learn. Fun should be the key element to any learning activity.
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Every child is unique in a multitude of ways including their learning style.
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There are many definitions of success.
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Emotional intelligence is a key component of kindergarten readiness.
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School should be a place of joyful engagement (play), creative skill building, and connected community.
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Learning is best achieved when parents and teachers work as a team to support the child’s optimal development.
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Continuing education of teachers supports meaningful interactions with students, and vibrant curriculum.
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Teacher continuity during these early delicate years is imperative for the success and confidence of students.