We are committed to providing all children access to early educational experiences, with a curriculum that encompasses a diverse range of activities and opportunities for exploration, discovery, and growth in a safe and nurturing environment.
At Kids Cottage, our staff is carefully chosen to ensure our students enter Kindergarten with the skills and confidence necessary to excel throughout the remainder of their education.
Number of Staff/Ratios
As required by the State of Delaware, the staff child ratio for mixed age groups will be that required for the age group with the largest number of children present in the group.
| Age of Child | Minimum Staff / Child Ratio | Our Ratios |
| 2 - 3 years | 1:8 | 1:7 |
| 3 - 4 years | 1:10 | 1:8 |
| 4 - 5 years | 1:12 | 1:8 |
| 5 years and up | 1:15 | 1:12 |
Taryn Burris - Chief Administrator
Taryn graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science in Education. She received a Master of Education degree for Special Education from the University of Maryland. She taught in Anne Arundel County in Maryland for three years as a special education teacher for grades K-5. In 2003, she returned to Delaware with her husband where she taught sixth grade language arts and reading for one year. Taryn is licensed and certified in Delaware in the areas of Elementary K-6, Middle Level Teacher 5-8, Teacher of Early Childhood/Primary K-4, Teacher of Exceptional Children-LD, SED, MH (Elementary 1-8). Taryn also has her Delaware Department of Education Administrator Credential, Director Credential, and is trained in TCIT and PCIT.
Lori Schell - Chief Administrator
Lori graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science in Education and was later certified to teach Special Education (Elementary 1-8). She is a Delaware Department of Education certified Early Childhood Teacher and School Age Administrator. Lori started her career as a third and fourth grade teacher at Rehoboth Elementary School in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware where she specialized in Math and Language Arts. Lori also has her Delaware Department of Education Administrator Credential and is trained in TCIT and PCIT. Lori has always immersed herself in her work within the education field, and is dedicated to creating the most fun, innovative, and academically focused children's center in the area.
Sheri Mark - Director of Operations
Sheri graduated from Wilmington University with her Masters in School Leadership and University of Bridgeport with her Bachelors in Early Childhood Education. She has her Delaware Department of Education Administrator Certificate. Prior to Kids Cottage, she was a Reginal Vice President of Operations and Regional Director for KinderCare Learning Centers. Sheri was responsible for strategic planning, development, operations, sales, marketing and customer service for 20 years. Sheri is a life member of NAEYC and DAEYC and was also a Technical Assistant for Delaware Stars, a Quality Rating Program for Early Care and Education centers and School District Pre-K Programs. Sheri lives in Lewes with her husband, who was a principal for a local school district and has a daughter that attends Cape Henlopen High School.
Meghan Bennett - Assistant Director
Meghan started her career at Kids Cottage in 2016. She first started with us as a Drop-In teacher, then became an Assistant Teacher in the two-year-old room, and later moved up to Office Manager in 2018. In 2022, Meghan accepted the position to be our Assistant Director. She has her Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education with a concentration in Child Advocacy, and is qualified as an Early Childhood Administrator in the State of Delaware. Her favorite part about working in Early Childhood is building relationships with families and helping our teaching staff learn and grow. She is eager to learn more about the Early Childhood field as she works alongside her mentors and looks forward to growing in the Early Childhood profession. In her free time, you will find Meghan on the drive on beach with friends.
Taylor Reynolds - Administrative Manager
Taylor has been apart of the Kids Cottage family since 2013. She works as part of the management team as our Administrative Manager. Before she took on her management role, Taylor was an Assistant and Lead teacher in our infant room, as well as a Lead teacher in our two-year-old room. Taylor has recently completed her Associates Degree in Early Childhood, and is qualified as an Early Childhood Curriculum Coordinator and an Early Childhood Teacher in the State of Delaware. Taylor is very family oriented and is a proud mom of her two children Ethan and Adalynn. In her spare time, Taylor enjoys reading and spending time with her family, especially at the beach.
Lindsay Runne - Teacher, Guppies Classroom (4-12 months)
Ms. Lindsay started her career at Kids Cottage from 2016-2020. She left for a short time and came back in October 2021. She has completed TECE 1 & 2 and is qualified in the State of DE as an Early Childhood Teacher. She has several years of experience with children of all ages, but her passion lies with the little ones. Ms. Linsday is a leukemia survivor! She is also getting married in May of 2024! In her free time, you can find her spending time with her family, friends, and her dog, Prince!
Jordan Emory - Teacher, Penguins Classroom (12-18 months)
Ms. Jordan joined the Kids Cottage team in August of 2020. She holds her Associates Degree in Early Childhood Development, and she is qualified in the State of Delaware as an Early Childhood Teacher. Jordan has two littles of her own and is about to get married in November 2023. She loves Fall and all things pumpkin, she loves being creative and making people laugh. Her favorite part about working in Early Childhood is watching their little minds make big connections. Getting to play a role in that process is so rewarding to her!
Morgan Rogers - Teacher, Sea Otters Classroom (12-18 months)
Ms. Morgan has been at Kids Cottage since June of 2020. She has always had a passion to work in the early childhood education field. Her favorite age group would be the infants and the toddler. Her favorite thing about that age group is watching children grow and learn new things every day. Ms. Morgan has completed TECE 1 and 2 and holds her Early Childhood Teacher certification in the State of Delaware. During her free time, Ms. Morgan enjoys going to the beach and spending time with her dog.
Andrea McVey - Teacher, Minnows Classroom (18-24 months)
Ms. Andrea joined the Kids Cottage team in February 2023. She recently moved to Delaware from Pennsylvania with her family. Andrea is currently working on her Early Childhood Education degree at Del Tech. Her favorite part of working with children is being able to have fun and act like a kid herself!
Cassey Symanski - Teacher, Sandcrabs Classroom (2-3 years)
Jenna White - Teacher, Sea Turtles Classroom (2-3 years)
Mrs. Jenna has been at Kids Cottage since June of 2021. She has completed her TECE 1 & 2 and is qualified in the State of DE as an Early Childhood Teacher. Mrs. Jenna has lived in DE most of her life. Mrs. Jenna recently got married in June of 2023. She loves her fur babies Zeus (her Great Dane), Cove (her Dachshund) and her one eyed cat, Uno. In her free time, you can find Ms. Jenna shopping or going to the beach or pool.
Kelsey Crown - Teacher, Sea Lions Classroom (3-4 years)
Ms. Kelsey joined our team in September 2018. She started out in the Sandcrabs classroom as an Assistant Teacher and worked her way up to being the Lead Teacher in the Sea Lions classroom in November 2020. She is a Sussex Central Graduate and a former All-Star cheerleader. Ms. Kelsey also used to coach Pop-Warner cheerleading. She has completed TECE 1 and 2 and holds her Early Childhood Teacher qualification in the State of Delaware. In her free time, she enjoys spending time on the lake with her family and friends.
Denise Romasko - Teacher, Jellyfish Classroom (3-4 years)
Mrs. Denise and her husband moved to Delaware from Philadelphia in June 2018. She joined our team in November 2018 and welcomed her first child, PJ, into the world in May 2019. Mrs. Denise has more than 9 years of experience working with children and has her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education. She ia certified in the State of DE as an Early Childhood Teacher.
Miranda Foskey - Teacher, Dolphins Classroom (3-4 years)
Mrs. Miranda has been at Kids Cottage working with Pre-K children since 2017. She is continuing her education at Wilmington University and is very close to finishing her Bachelors in Education. Mrs. Miranda is certified in the State of DE as an Early Childhood Teacher. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family and watching movies. Mrs. Miranda recently got married and is expecting a little one of her own November 2023. Mrs. Miranda is so excited to watch your child learn and grow this year!
Sarah Parent - Teacher, Marlins Classroom (4-5 years)
Ms. Sarah has been at Kids Cottage since 2015. She has been working in the Early Childhood Education for 11 years and LOVES working in the preschool setting. Ms. Sarah has her CDA and is certified in the State of DE as an Early Childhood Teacher. She is also currently working towards her Associates at Del Teach. In her free time, Ms. Sarah is spending time with her twin girls. She loves Taco Tuesdays! Ms Sarah is so excited to watch your children learn and grow this year!
Rebecca Timmons - Teacher, Starfish Half Day Classroom (3-4 years)
Becca has been at Kids Cottage since 2006, and she absolutely loves teaching young learners and watching them grow. She has completed TECE 1 and 2, and has received her qualification in the State of Delaware to be an Early Childhood Teacher. She has two children; her daughter is going into second grade this year and her son is almost three years old. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with my family, going to the beach, reading, and gardening. She looks forward to this upcoming school year!
Kelli Trice - Teacher, Seahorse Half Day Classroom (4-5 years)
Kelli has been with us since 2015 and has experience with multiple age groups ranging from 3 to 5 year olds. She has grown to love the Pre-K age group the most and is passionate about preparing your child for kindergarten. Kelli has completed TECE 1 and 2 and is qualified in the State of Delaware as an Early Childhood Teacher. During her free time, Ms. Kelli enjoys tending to her home garden, raising chickens, and spending time with her children, Colson and Maeve.
Helpful Downloads
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Information Sheets
Kids Cottage 2023-2024 School Year Calendar