Testimonials
From the Community
“Working with Vanessa has been a deeply meaningful experience. She holds such deep intention and passion, not only for the work itself but for truly honoring childhood.”
“As an educator stepping into preschool ownership, I knew my heart and vision for children, but I didn’t have the same level of knowledge around the business side of running a program. Working with Vanessa has been a deeply meaningful experience. She holds such deep intention and passion, not only for the work itself but for truly honoring childhood.
Vanessa has done a beautiful job of seeing and affirming the heart behind our program while also offering clear, thoughtful guidance that helps refine our vision in sustainable ways. Her support has given me a stronger understanding of the backend of running a school and has helped me create systems that protect me from burnout and help ensure that our program can be successful and long-lasting. Vanessa has consistently showed up for our program with sincerity, care, and such a wealth of knowledge. Among all the gifts her efforts have provided me, is the ability to recenter my focus on the thing I love most, working with the children.
Vanessa’s support has left me feeling confident, grounded and inspired, and I’m so grateful for the way she’s supported me on this journey.”
— Danielle, Preschool Director, Itty Bitty Play Co.
“She got my hands in the mud kitchen with the littles, and my feet rooted back in childhood. I am forever grateful.”
“Vanessa understands a child’s world like no other. She whole heartedly nurtures the most important years of their little lives in the most beautiful and intentional way.
I have had the pleasure of being mentored by Vanessa in a play-based environment for over 10 years, and truly cannot imagine ever not leaning on her for support and knowledge for the rest of my early childhood career and life.
Her mentorship is just simply not something that can be replicated. It’s not something you could learn in a textbook, it’s something beautiful and unique you could only truly experience side by side with her. It’s marvelous and a blessing to have watched her navigate not only the business end of building a great preschool foundation, but also to watch her navigate and nurture each individual child’s needs (socially, emotionally and in their play space), a parents needs (support, guidance, a shoulder to lean on), and what a community of families need, done so perfectly and intentionally.
I truly believe I wouldn’t be able to see all of the magic woven into childhood without her insight & knowledge and pure understanding of early childhood and the importance of their environment and parent education.
She got my hands in the mud kitchen with the littles, and my feet rooted back in childhood. I am forever grateful.”
— Victoria, Preschool Director, Little Folk House
“Of all the early childhood educators we’ve encountered, Vanessa stands out as the very best. She doesn’t just teach—she empowers, nurtures, and leaves a lasting impact. Any program, school, or family fortunate enough to work with her is made better because of it.”
“We are honored to recommend Vanessa Collett, an exceptional educator and community-builder our family has known for many years. Both Vanessa and her daughter Haley taught our two eldest children for three years each, and in that time we witnessed her rare gift for making every child feel truly seen, safe, and celebrated.
Vanessa creates learning environments where curiosity thrives—joyful, play-filled, and deeply connected. Her warmth, patience, and enthusiasm are unmatched, and she has an extraordinary ability to inspire curiosity, foster emotional growth, and build trusting relationships with children, families, and fellow educators alike.
Of all the early childhood educators we’ve encountered, Vanessa stands out as the very best. She doesn’t just teach—she empowers, nurtures, and leaves a lasting impact. Any program, school, or family fortunate enough to work with her is made better because of it.
We wholeheartedly and without reservation give Vanessa our highest recommendation.”
— The Lays, a grateful Little by Little family
“As an LMFT for over 20 years, I can say without hesitation that Vanessa’s mindfulness, co-regulation, and grounded presence are extraordinary.”
“Miss Vanessa is one of those rare educators who doesn’t just care for children — she shapes the way they understand themselves and the world around them. My kids started with her at ages two and three and stayed until kindergarten, and she created a calm, connected, and deeply engaging environment that made a lasting impact. When she’s with children, she is fully present. Her emotional awareness is exceptional...grounded, mindful, and responsive to exactly what each child needs to feel safe, confident, and curious.
One moment I’ll never forget was walking into the outdoor classroom to find my son high up in the loquat tree. My instinct? Panic. Vanessa’s response? Calm, steady, and confident. She explained he was learning body control, trust, and healthy risk-taking...and she co-regulated me so I didn’t pass my fear onto him. That moment captures who she is: she supports children brilliantly, and without even trying, she models and coaches the adults around her. You learn from simply watching her.
As an LMFT for over 20 years, I can say without hesitation that Vanessa’s mindfulness, co-regulation, and grounded presence are extraordinary. Children aren’t born with self-regulation; they develop it through steady, emotionally available adults who model it in real time. Vanessa embodies this. She turns play into learning, big feelings into growth, and everyday interactions into the building blocks of resilience. And she does it in a way that naturally elevates the adults in the room, helping us better understand how to support our children.
I am deeply grateful for the foundation she helped build in my children and for the way she poured her skill, heart, and intuition into those early years. Now, many years later, our children are thriving in school, navigating friendships with confidence, and demonstrating real emotional intelligence — and her support was essential in making that possible.”
— Nicole, LMFT
“She showed me how I could teach my son in ways that felt natural. Her help was simple and attainable. I never felt overwhelmed or burdened by our conversations. She helped shift my expectations.”
“Vanessa was my son’s first teacher, and it was such a gift. In just a couple of weeks, she truly got to know him—understanding how he learns, his habits, and the best ways to help him grow. What was even more incredible was how she helped me grow as well. I would vent to her about how my son loathed any type of art and how I wished he would engage in more pretend play. In just two meetings, she offered thoughtful suggestions on how to encourage him, without a forceful approach. She showed me how I could teach my son in ways that felt natural. Her help was simple and attainable. I never felt overwhelmed or burdened by our conversations. She helped shift my expectations.The fear of feeling inadequate as a parent, especially when considering homeschooling, has been calmed by Vanessa’s support and guidance. I will always be deeply grateful for her wisdom and care.”
— The Taylors, a grateful Little by Little family
“Thank you for being generous with your knowledge, for openly sharing everything you knew, and for creating an environment where everyone felt supported to learn and grow.”
“Thinking back to my time together with you, there are so many things that inspired me, and it really comes down to the core philosophy that permeated everything we did.
The deep respect for children as competent and capable individuals truly stood out. It wasn't just a phrase—it was evident in how we genuinely listened to the children, observed their play, and used those insights to shape the curriculum.
The focus on child-led, play-based learning created such a rich and authentic environment where children were truly engaged. They weren't just being 'taught'; they were exploring, discovering, and constructing their own knowledge.
The natural environment as a 'third teacher' was incredibly inspiring. Getting messy, taking risks, and connecting with nature daily broadened our understanding of what a classroom could be.
The collaborative spirit among educators and families created a strong sense of community and mutual support, which is so vital in early childhood education.
Thank you for being generous with your knowledge, for openly sharing everything you knew, and for creating an environment where everyone felt supported to learn and grow.”
— Irem, Educator
“Vanessa’s combination of education and life experience, along with the love she truly shows for children make her such a treasure in this space.”
“I had the pleasure of getting to know Vanessa as a preschool teacher to my two children, and I am so grateful that I had her for guidance in that stage of my parenting.
My older child has a hard time socially and emotionally and Vanessa was there for me with encouragement, advice, understanding and never judgement.
She gave me empathy, listened to me and offered me advice that I could use in a practical way.
Vanessa’s combination of education and life experience, along with the love she truly shows for children make her such a treasure in this space.”
— The Godoys, a grateful Little by Little family