About Us
**We are currently closed and are not taking waitlist requests**
Love and Laughter opened as a drop-in preschool in January 2009 and later evolved into a fully LICENSED daycare. When you live on a small island, your reputation means everything to your business, we’re pleased that we’ve been able to provide loving, quality care to so many children on Vashon (in a home-like environment). One of the greatest things about Love and Laughter besides the beautiful environment is our staff. They LOVE the children so much and always have their best interests at heart. They strive to have a positive relationship with each family, both in and out of school. It is not unusal for a child to stay with us for all of their early years before going to kindergarten and then for their younger siblings to follow in their footsteps!
As director of Love and Laughter, I have lived on Vashon since I was 1 years old! I spent 4 years commuting to college; first to Seattle Central Community College where I graduated with an A.A. degree in Early Childhood Education, and then to the University of Washington where I graduated with a B.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences. I spent a few years out of the state, teaching at a Nationally Accredited Preschool in beautiful Hawaii Kai, on the Island of Oahu, and then spent 15 months living abroad in Latvia. I haven’t had many opportunities to practice my Latvian, but the humbling exprience of living in such a beautiful, little country has impacted me greatly.
My greatest treasures are my family; my husband Marty, my 3 boys- Cameron (7), Tyler (5), and Hayden (3), as well as my extended family! I am blessed to have 2 siblings (Amanda & Morgan DeFiglia), my mom (Nancy Steel), and my in-laws all living on Vashon within 15 minutes of us. My sister, mom, and mother-in-law have all worked at Love and Laughter at some point! Give me a call to discuss whether Love and Laughter might be a good fit for your family.
Sincerely,
Jenny Mickelson, Owner and Director of Love and Laughter Preschool and Daycare.
Meet Our Staff
Ashlea Olwell born in Seattle and raised in Bremerton, joined our staff in May of 2009. She has worked as a camp counselor, Sunday school teacher, a nanny, and a lead teacher at Love and Laughter for the last 6 years. She is working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and takes extra trainings whenever she can. She loves boating, camping, being outdoors, crafting, spending time with family and friends and playing sports. She is kind, patient, easy going, creative, funny, and dependable. She does an excellent job creating and implementing engaging lesson plans for the children, and brings a great calmness to our classroom.
Shirley Mickelson moved from Junction City, Oregon with her husband Roger in February 2011, shortly after the birth of their 2nd grandson Tyler Mickelson! Having a desire to live closer to their family, they left the home they’d lived in for 17 years and made the move up north. She has 3 grown children, which is probably the best experience any caregiver could have. Coupled with her years of church service as a Sunday school teacher, her quiet, calm personality, children love “grandma Shirley.” She loves sewing, crafting, gardening, doing projects around the house. She has completed Washington State’s Childcare basics Certificate program and can work along side a teacher as an assistant, or as a lead teacher.