About Us
We believe childhood is a time for exploration, risk-taking, and discovering what you can do. In line with developmental and educational research, we emphasize open-ended play, especially outdoors, as a key part of learning. We then connect these play experiences to developmental milestones and early childhood educational standards. We want students to experience, question, observe, and investigate, fueling their curiosity and leading to more questions. This process of natural child-led exploration and joyful learning is the true magic of play.
Our Program
Magic of Play Preschool was founded in 2024 by Michelle Shilakes. We opened for students on December 8, 2025. For more details about our school year program, you can read our newly updated family handbook here. For details about our summer camp program, you can read our camp handbook here.
Our Building
Our building was designed with a focus on creating the ideal environment for early childhood education. Our school is 6,000 square feet, featuring 3 classrooms, each with access to the outdoors and their own bathroom. We also have an Art Room and plenty of outdoor space for play and exploration.
Click here to see our building progress from start to finish!
We have an amazing teaching team! Please schedule a tour to see our Staff Intro bulletin board and find out more about our experienced, loving staff.
Michelle Shilakes
Director & Owner
Michelle is the Director and Founder of Magic of Play Preschool. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Western Michigan University and has over 15 years of experience working with children ages 0–5, specializing in preschool education. Michelle’s experiences include serving as a lead teacher, mentoring staff, and directing a preschool summer camp. She is currently continuing her education in the Reggio Emilia philosophy and has completed her Forest School Teacher and Director certification.
A long-time resident of East Lansing, Michelle is married and has three children who attend East Lansing Public Schools.
“It’s the things we play with and the people who help us play that make a great difference in our lives. ”
— Fred Rogers
Have Questions?
We know starting preschool is a big step, and you might have questions! That’s why we’ve created an FAQ page with all the details you need, from what to expect day-to-day to gear recommendations.
Visit our FAQ page for answers or feel free to reach out—we’re here to help!
