When the preschool class of 2026 graduated from Lenape Kiddie Kollege, the pride on the faces of parents and grandparents said it all.
Owner-Director Theresa Young knows that feeling well. She watched all four of her daughters graduate from the preschool in Medford, New Jersey, and today most of her nine grandchildren are either alumni, current students, or future students.
For Young, it’s a reminder of what has made Lenape Kiddie Kollege a beloved part of the community for generations: a safe, nurturing place where children learn best through play.
While websites and brochures can offer a glimpse of a preschool, Young believes nothing compares to walking through the front door.
“When you walk in and get the vibe of the place, that’s when you’ll know if your child will fit in, thrive, and feel comfortable there,” she said.
She remembers having that exact experience more than 35 years ago when she toured the school with her oldest daughter.
“I still remember walking in and feeling a big sigh of relief,” Young recalled. “It was warm, cozy, and I loved the way the teachers talked to the children. None of that has changed.”
As a privately owned early childhood education center, Lenape Kiddie Kollege welcomes children ages 2 through 6 and also offers five-week summer camps.
The school’s philosophy is simple: children learn best when play and learning go hand-in-hand. Every classroom experience is designed to help children develop the social, emotional, and academic skills they’ll need for kindergarten — through hands-on exploration, rather than pressure.
“Few traditional schools like ours have been around for 65 years. We are so proud that we have so much to offer!” Theresa Young, owner-director of Lenape Kiddie Kollege in Medford, reflecting on the preschool’s 65-year history of providing a nurturing, play-based learning environment for generations of local children.
A Legacy of Learning
Lenape Kiddie Kollege is one of the oldest state-licensed nursery schools in the Medford area.
The school began in 1960, when two friends affectionately known as “the Marys” opened a nursery school in the recreation room of a Medford Lakes home. A year later, they built the school’s current facility in Medford and operated it until retiring in 1985.
Teacher Peggy Iannetta and her husband, John, then purchased the school. Years later, when Young enrolled her youngest daughter, she mentioned that she’d love to teach there part-time. She spent nine years in the classroom before purchasing the school herself in 2004.
Young affectionately calls Lenape Kiddie Kollege her “fifth baby.”
The school has remained true to its original mission: providing a traditional, developmentally appropriate preschool experience where children are encouraged to discover, imagine, create, and grow at their own pace.
That family atmosphere extends beyond the classroom. Several staff members are former parents whose children attended the school before they earned their early childhood certifications and joined the teaching team.
Young’s husband, Tim, who retired from Pepsi after 40 years, is known around school as the dependable “fix-it guy,” always ready to handle maintenance projects that keep everything running smoothly.
Licensed for 47 children at one time, the school serves about 60 families each year thanks to flexible scheduling options that include half days, full days, and multiple attendance plans.
“Our families appreciate the flexibility,” Young said. “Every family has different needs, and we do our best to accommodate them.”
After more than two decades as owner — and many more as a teacher — Young rarely goes anywhere without running into former students.
“My husband and I were out to dinner recently when we saw a former student and his dad,” she said with a laugh. “As they walked over to say hello, my husband looked at me and said, ‘We can’t go anywhere without you being recognized.’”
Happy Parent Becomes a Teaching Assistant
Mother of two Katie Gonzalez enrolled her daughter, Mia, now 8, at Lenape Kiddie Kollege in 2020 and quickly fell in love with all of the outdoor activities and focus on learning from play.
“Mia is now in third grade and was prepared for kindergarten in the best way,” said the Medford Lakes mom. “She came home from Lenape having the best time and also learned her colors, numbers, and the independence that comes from tying her shoes and zipping her coat.”
Not only did Gonzalez feel compelled to send her son, Julian, 4, to Lenape, but she also became a part-time teaching assistant at the school, and loves every minute working with the children and staff.
“This school is such a gem; I have told everyone with young children about it,” she said. “I am so happy to share that this has been the most fantastic experience for our family.”
Grammy Wisdom
As the grandmother of nine, Young hopes to pass along several life lessons that extend far beyond preschool.
The first is simple: “Always be kind.”
The second is what she calls the “Oh Well” lesson. On the first day of school, children gather in a circle and receive classroom jobs like line leader or snack helper. Since there are more children than jobs, not everyone gets one.
“We talk about disappointment,” Young explained. “If we don’t get a job today, we say, ‘Oh well.’ “
The lesson continues throughout the years as children learn that they won’t always get what they want—and that’s okay. Resilience, she believes, is just as important as academic readiness.
Finally, she encourages children to always give their best effort.
“I love the quote, ‘The harder I work, the luckier I get,'” she said. “If you work hard and succeed, that’s wonderful. But if you do your best and things don’t go your way, remember the ‘Oh Well’ lesson. Know in your heart that you gave it your all. Your best is always good enough!”
For generations of Medford families, that’s the kind of lesson that lasts long after preschool graduation.
Loving “Our Funny Little People”
For Young, the greatest reward is still spending time with children. “I love my nursery school families, and I love my kids,” she said.
She continues to teach the four-year-old class one day each week because she enjoys seeing the world through their eyes.
“I love their minds, how they think, and the conversations we have,” she said. “They’re just such funny little people. We laugh all day long.”
The children’s memorable one-liners are so entertaining that favorite quotes often end up posted on her office door.
“We have three little classrooms that are staffed by loving women who adore these children,” Young explained. “We have a playground on an acre of land where they have so much fun. Few traditional schools like ours have been around for 65 years. We are so proud that we have so much to offer!”
