**We Have Exciting News!**

We’re thrilled to share that **Mudpies and Lullabies has been nominated for Best of Michigan!**

For more than eight years, we have been honored to serve the Chelsea community by providing a warm, nurturing home-away-from-home environment where children learn through play, exploration, and curiosity.

We are grateful for the trust and support of the many families who have been part of our journey, and we look forward to continuing to serve our community for years to come.

If you would like to support us, we would greatly appreciate you taking a moment to cast your vote. **You can vote once per day, every day during the voting period, and each vote helps!**

https://www.guidetomichigan.com/.../mudpies-and-lullabies

Thank you for being part of the Mudpies and Lullabies family and for your continued support.

Welcome

Mudpies and Lullabies

Where little ones feel at home, curious minds grow and everyone gets just a little bit messy!

At Mudpies and Lullabies, we celebrate childhood in all its wonder. Our warm, nurturing environment feels like a true home away from home. We believe children learn best when they feel safe, loved, and encouraged to explore their world. Through play-based, curiosity-led learning and close partnerships with families, we support each child’s unique strengths while helping them build confidence, creativity, and discover just how capable they are.

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Philosophy

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 Learning through Play

At Mudpies, we believe the very best learning happens through play. Each day is filled with opportunities for children to follow their own ideas while also joining in teacher-guided activities. We love to spark a child’s natural curiosity in different areas of play and watch those little “aha!” moments grow into bigger learning experiences over time.

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Let the Fun Begin!

Our teachers take the time to truly get to know each child who walks through our doors. By learning about their likes and dislikes, special traits, family traditions, and unique backgrounds, we are able to support their growth in ways that feel natural, joyful, and just right for them.

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What We Consider

Just like no two children are the same, no two learning journeys look exactly alike. We carefully shape each child’s care and experiences around what nurtures them most—supporting their hearts, their bodies, and their growing minds.

How we started

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Angie Westermeyer

OWNER AND DIRECTOR

My childcare experience began with babysitting children in my neighborhood at the very young age of 11. As the oldest of five siblings, caring for children has always been sort of second nature to me. While I have always known that I loved children, I never imagined making a career out of it until my oldest son arrived in 2013.

I’m now a mother of three young boys and the success of what started as a small in-home daycare in Dexter, Michigan in September 2013 coupled with the demand for caring, qualified childcare in our area, evolved to the opening of Mudpies and Lullabies in February 2018.

We have grown steadily since our opening, and have enjoyed adding to our extended family through the relationships built with our staff and the families who entrust us with their children’s care each and every day.

Seeing the joy on the faces of the children in our program and having them wrap their little arms around my legs when they see me each morning, is literally one of the most heartwarming and rewarding parts of my life.

Credentials:

B.B.A., Eastern Michigan University

Child Development Associate (C.D.A) Credential

APCCP, Washtenaw Community College

So proud of my amazing team! To learn more click on each of their images.

Administrative Team

 

Susan Hollister Petit

Susan comes to Mudpies and Lullabies with 33 years of experience. While attending school full time as an early childhood major at Concordia and Washtenaw Community College, Susan worked two childcare positions and simultaneously earned her degree. After graduating, she worked at a local center for nine years as a Lead Toddler Teacher and Summer Director. She then moved on to a privately owned chain where she spent 22 years filling roles such as Lead Infant/Toddler Teacher, Program Director, and Office Manager. Susan has been a member of NAEYC and presented at many conferences throughout her career. Susan joined the Mudpies and Lullabies team in August of 2019.

Credentials:

Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education - Washtenaw Community College

Completed two years in the School of Social Work - Concordia University

Paula Ann Mancini

With over 20 years of experience working with children of all ages, Paula is passionate about creating friendly, welcoming environments where everyone feels comfortable and supported. She is known for her positive energy, strong organizational skills, and genuine love of connecting with others. When she’s not working, Paula enjoys spending time with family, staying active, and being involved in her community. Paula joined the Mudpies Team in May of 2021.

Credentials:

Associates Degree in Elementary Education- Washtenaw Community College

Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Studies- Eastern Michigan University

HR Skills and Operations Certificate- Washtenaw Community College

Sarah Apaza

Sarah brings a diverse background and plethora of experience to her role as Assistant Director and Lead Toddler Teacher at Mudpies and Lullabies. During her collegiate years, she worked at a residential treatment center for children diagnosed with challenges such as schizophrenia, bipolar depression, and intermittent explosive disorder. After graduation, Sarah spent four years working with adults with disabilities. While this time was rewarding, she longed to return to working with children and accepted a position as an Assistant Toddler Teacher. Shortly after making this move, she was promoted to the role of Lead Infant/Toddler Teacher. Over the last four years, Sara additionally filled the role of Lead Preschool Teacher before joining the Mudpies and Lullabies team as the Lead Toddler Teacher and Assistant Director.

Credentials:

Child Development and Psychology - Siena Heights University

 
 

Our Lead Teaching Team

 

Nicole Freeland

Preschool Lead Teacher

Maggie Church

Young Preschool Lead Teacher in Training

Sarah Apaza

Toddler Lead Teacher / Assistant Director

Megan Long

Lead Infant Teacher

“We’ve had a wonderful experience at Mudpies and Lullabies over the past four years. Our children started at 6 months old, and we’ve always felt they are safe, loved, and truly cared for. The teachers and support staff (Nicole, Christian, Nataiya, Kenzie, Karla, Michele, Susan, Paula, Sarah) are nurturing, supportive, and genuinely invested in the kids’ growth and development. We’re so grateful for the positive impact this special has had on our family and highly recommend it to others!”
— Molly

Our Programs

Infant

~Ratio: 1:4

~Ages: Birth - 12 months

~Primary Caregiver: All children birth to 36 months are assigned a Primary Caregiver

Our infant room is designed to feel calm, cozy, and responsive—because no two babies are ever the same. Our babies follow an on-demand schedule that honors each child’s individual needs for sleep, feeding, and play.

Toddler

~Ratio: 1:4

~Ages: 12-30 months

~Primary Caregiver: All children birth to 36 months are assigned a Primary Caregiver

Our toddlers are busy discovering the world and our program supports their growing independence while keeping things fun and predictable. They follow a more consistent group schedule that balances play and learning while allowing them to rest when needed.

Young Preschool

~Ratio: 1:4

~Ages: 24-36 months

~Primary Caregiver: All children birth to 36 months are assigned a Primary Caregiver

This classroom is full of growing confidence, big emotions, and exciting milestones. Children follow a group schedule while still receiving extra support as they begin showing signs of independence with toilet training, dressing and feeding themselves and becoming self-sufficient.

Preschool

~Ratio: 1:10

~Ages: 3 years -5 years

Preschool are making bring strides in self-help skills. Children are more independent and self-sufficient; they confidently share their thoughts and ideas with teachers as well as themselves. They follow a thoughtfully planned schedule which includes small group activities, gross motor play, outdoor explorations and lots and lots of play!

“We love Mudpies & Lullabies! Jack has been there since he was about 4 months old and it’s been a great first daycare experience for us. Everyone takes great care of him, and he enjoys learning and playing with his friends. A special shoutout to Ms. Ava though for being Jackson’s favorite teacher.”
— Logan S.
 
Tuition Rates

Forms

Health Appraisal Form
Medication Permission Form
Child Information Form
 

At Mudpies & Lullabies, personal relationships with our children and their families are key for us to deliver
the best care and most positive experiences. Our center is committed to supporting families both inside and outside the classroom. To help connect you with valuable services, we have curated a list of community resources that may be helpful for a variety of needs. These resources may include local family support services, health and wellness providers, educational programs, and assistance programs. We encourage families to explore these options whenever additional guidance or support may be beneficial. Our goal is to partner with you in fostering the well-being of your child and your family as a whole.

Community Service Guide

brightwheel

Your child’s day - in real time

At Mudpies and Lullabies, we use the brightwheel platform to help families stay connected and involved each day.
From digital check-in and daily photos to activity updates and easy communication, brightwheel keeps everything at your fingertips — including automatic payments and paperless billing.

 
 
“Mudpies was a great place for our daughter to grow and learn! The focus on new activities, outside time, and clear lesson plans was amazing. She was never bored and she connected very well with her teachers. Mudpies embraced her personality and all of her quirks. We got consistent updates and photos throughout the day, which was very comforting. Daycare can sometimes be a hard choice, but with Mudpies we always felt in the loop and never felt as if our daughter was getting less than the best.
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— Barb L.