Nicole Johnson
Founder and Executive Director
Hi, My name is Nicole Johnson. Together with Melissa Juliano, I set up the Community Treehouse in 2019. I felt Bayfield needed a place where families could connect with their community in a fun and relaxing way. A place where parents could find support from their peers and kids could make new friends. I am originally from the Netherlands and moved to America when I was 16 years old. You might hear that accent once in a while. I have worked with children for over 30 years; but my true passion is supporting our parents. I was a preschool teacher in Italy as well as in California prior to moving to Durango and working as the Family Center of Durango coordinator from 1998-2006. I have been the program leader for the Tumbling Tots program at Sun Ute since 2007. I also love to teach infant massage. Bayfield has been my home for the last 20 years , where I live with my husband and my 13 year old daughter. Some of my favorite moments at the Treehouse are seeing parents exchange phone numbers, kids coming in the Treehouse so excited to see their friends , or parents working in the Parent lounge while their kiddos are playing in the Treehouse. It has been an amazing journey to build the Treehouse for Bayfield these past two years. WE have had some challenges through the pandamic but I feel our mission has become more clear. We are all working together to strengthen our community, one family at a time!
Nicole Johnson
Founder and Executive Director
Hi, My name is Nicole Johnson. Together with Melissa Juliano, I set up the Community Treehouse in 2019. I felt Bayfield needed a place where families could connect with their community in a fun and relaxing way. A place where parents could find support from their peers and kids could make new friends. I am originally from the Netherlands and moved to America when I was 16 years old. You might hear that accent once in a while. I have worked with children for over 30 years; but my true passion is supporting our parents. I was a preschool teacher in Italy as well as in California prior to moving to Durango and working as the Family Center of Durango coordinator from 1998-2006. I have been the program leader for the Tumbling Tots program at Sun Ute since 2007. I also love to teach infant massage. Bayfield has been my home for the last 20 years , where I live with my husband and my 13 year old daughter. Some of my favorite moments at the Treehouse are seeing parents exchange phone numbers, kids coming in the Treehouse so excited to see their friends , or parents working in the Parent lounge while their kiddos are playing in the Treehouse. It has been an amazing journey to build the Treehouse for Bayfield these past four years. WE have had some challenges through the pandamic but I feel our mission has become more clear. We are all working together to strengthen our community, one family at a time!
Ashleigh Bennett
Program Coordinator
Hello Treehouse Families,My name is Ashleigh Bennett and I am so honored to be the newest member of the Treehouse team as the Program Coordinator! I am a mom of 3 kiddos - Tristan, Jace, and Stevie. I have been a member of the Treehouse since the beginning and appreciate the space as well as all the programs that have helped my family and met so many wonderful people. I love sunshine, the outdoors, cooking, baseball, and juicy conversations.My goal is to help the Treehouse continue to provide fun, educational, and supportive programs that strengthen our community and create opportunities to meet and connect with other parents. I have a background in Early Childhood Education from in-home daycare, toddler teacher, preschool teacher as well as parent education. I have a passion for people and love creating environments for fun and a place to get to know one another. I look forward to meeting all of you and finding out what you love about the Treehouse as well as any ideas of what you'd like to see revamped or put together!If you need to get in touch or have ideas you want to pass on feel free to email me at bayfieldtreehouseprograms@gmail.com.As of now I will be in M/W/F 8:30 - 2 and look forward to meeting everyone!
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Ashleigh Bennett
Ms. Renni kidcare provider
My name in Renni and I have been living in Bayfield for over 7 years now. Originally from South Dakota, I fell instantly in love with the mountains when I attended college at Fort Lewis. Years pass with many goals accomplished and I am now a Mama of 2 and enjoy staying home with my one year old while my 7 year old attends BPS. I enjoy working kid care to keep myself young at heart and to encourage active play with all the kiddies!
Ms. Suzie.
kidcare provider
I started babysitting at age 11 and absolutely love working with children! I home schooled my kids all the way through. I love to see kids learn new things & grow. It is a blessing & privilege to play with all the Tiny Darlings here at the Treehouse! Thank you for trusting me with your little ones.
Ms. Ginger kidcare provider
I started helping watch kiddos when I was a kiddo myself and lucky for me it bloomed into a career. I worked as a program director for the Albany YMCA in New York, I was also a TA in the Pre-K class there, which I loved. After moving to Colorado in 2015, I nannied for a family before starting my own and moving to Ignacio. We found the Treehouse and our lives are surely better for it. I love coming to work at the Treehouse and look forward to growing my family with the community. I started helping watch kiddos when I was a kiddo myself and lucky for me it bloomed into a career. I worked as a program director for the Albany YMCA in New York, I was also a TA in the Pre-K class there, which I loved. After moving to Colorado in 2015, I nannied for a family before starting my own and moving to Ignacio. We found the Treehouse and our lives are surely better for it. I love coming to work at the Treehouse and look forward to growing my family with the community.
Ms. Ashley kidcare provider /volunteer
Ms. Jessica kidcare provider
Hi I'm Jessica. Selene is my daughter's name and we love to be outside with our animals. We have cats, dogs and chickens! Originally from Alaska, we try and make it back often as where that is where much of my side of the family still lives. The ocean is our escape. Around here we love to go on our boats for fishing and fun and get to camping! I taught kindergarten for four years here in Bayfield and love being here at the treehouse around kiddos again!