---

MARY O'CONNELL
Founder of Both Programs

Mary O'Connell - Founder of the After-school Program and the Nursery School.

​Originally from Pelham, Mary attained her M.A. degree in English and Elementary Education from Hunter College. She worked as an elementary school teacher for 26 years before founding Playful Wonders After-School Enrichment Program in 1986.

​In 1992, Mary extended the program to include daytime classes for preschool aged children and Junior Wonders Nursery School was born.

Mary loved children and especially reading to them. She spent a great deal of time searching for new stories to share with children with the consultation of local librarians creating the Program's robust internal library resource. 

Her legacy will be sustained by the programs she built and the many lives that she impacted. 

---

HOPE O'CONNELL
Program Director
Playful Wonders After-School
Junior Wonders Nursery School

In 2014, Mary’s daughter, Hope O’Connell, took over the operations of the After-School and in 2015 assumed responsibility of operations for both programs.

Hope holds an undergraduate degree from Fordham University and an MBA from the Simmons School of Management in Boston, MA.  She has a background in client service from Goldman Sachs and operational risk from Barclays Bank.  

Hope oversees and manages all aspects of both programs.  She has over 125 hours of behavioral and safety training certificates in childcare including CPR, First Aid, and is MAT trained.  

 

PLAYFUL WONDERS TEAM
After School Program & Nursery School Staff

Mrs. Rita Senerchia,
​Teacher

Mrs. Katie Robison,
​Teacher

Mrs. Annmarie Burns,
​Teacher

Mrs. Kathy McCauley
​Teacher

Mrs. Regina Glynn,
​Teacher

The teachers at Playful Wonders After school and Junior Wonders Nursery School are dedicated professionals who work together to create a nurturing and fun environment for our children.

​They attend yearly classes and workshops in early childhood education, safety and first aid.

We focus our energy ensuring that your child's first school experience is happy, safe, and creative.

---