Our Story
A Note from our Owner & Director, Emily Hagdorn:
I want to take a moment to share the story behind a name that holds more meaning than I ever could have imagined.
In August of 2022, shortly after I began negotiations for the opportunity to own Preschool Playhouse, my mom, Pamela Petty Hagdorn, was unexpectedly diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and given three months to live. Time suddenly felt fragile and limited. I knew I wanted to talk with her about this opportunity, but with so much happening, it never felt like the right moment.
One quiet Sunday afternoon in October, while sitting together, I finally said, “Mom, I need to tell you something, and I want your honest opinion.” I rushed through the pros and cons, very nervous to hear her reaction because it was so far outside of the scope of the work I was doing in Corporate America. When I finished, there was a long pause. She looked up at the ceiling, then back at me, placed her hand on my knee, and with tears in her eyes said, “Emily, I really feel like the dreams I never made time for are coming true for you in the final chapter of my life. I only wish I had more time to see them through you.” That moment has stayed with me ever since.
After that conversation, we began talking about what this place could become, the type of school I envisioned, and even down to what it might one day be called. She told me how important it was to include “bees,” because the bee is Bayonne’s mascot. She believed that being a Bayonne Bee was a sense of pride that could only truly be understood by those who had it taught to them. With the help of my uncle, Billy Petty, we arrived at Busy Little Bees. My mom loved it. She said that if I did things right, my Busy Little Bees would grow into Bayonne Fighting Bees and be the type of children who would never lose their hometown pride. Her belief in community and giving back shaped that vision completely.
As my mom entered the final days of her life, I found myself thinking often about all the phases of ownership we would not be able to walk through together. A few months after her passing, I continued the negotiations leading forward into this opportunity with my mom’s legacy in mind. I knew I would keep the name Preschool Playhouse during our first year, giving myself the space to grow into the role and the responsibility it carried.
In February of 2024, I experienced another unimaginable loss when my best friend, Stephanie Weymouth, unexpectedly passed away. Before her passing, Stephanie had been deeply invested in helping me shape this dream. She wanted the name to tell a story—to gently explain what kind of business this would be. She suggested an addition that felt simple, but powerful.
From that idea came “Busy Little Bees: Preschool and More” (P.A.M., my mom’s nickname for Pamela). In a way, I still can’t fully explain how everything suddenly felt whole because the name of this business that changed my life was created from a place of love that carries both of them with it.
The “And More” in the name reflects exactly how my mom lived her life. She believed in the strength of community, in doing good wherever possible, and in making something meaningful out of whatever you had. She was the definition of doing a lot with a little, and because of her, we never went without. Her generosity, resilience, and heart for others continue to guide us in everything we do.
So much has changed for me over the past few years, and through the loss of two extraordinary people, one truth has remained constant: time is delicate and deeply valuable. If we have the opportunity to do something good, we should do it wholeheartedly.
Preschool Playhouse will always be the foundation that made this possible, and I am honored to continue to carry its legacy forward. As we continue on this journey, I do so with gratitude, intention, and a heart full of hope.
I only wish my mom and Stephanie were here to see how all this is unfolding. I am constantly reminded that their love is so deep, it is capable of carrying me through seasons of my life they have never lived through.
\This name is more than words—it is a story, a legacy, and a reminder that love and purpose have a way of living on.
Our Misson
Busy Little Bees Preschool
Busy Little Bees is a quality model in childcare and education. Our staff strives to provide the highest quality childcare and educational services that promote and enhance each child's development while assuring our parents' peace of mind in the care and service we render. Busy Little Bees provides a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate program that fosters active, hands-on learning, support for the whole child, and a child-friendly environment.
- We foster innovation.
- We embrace teamwork.
- We strive for excellence.
- We respect and support families.
- We commit to service at all levels.
- We respect and appreciate diversity.
- We actively listen and seek to understand.
- We communicate openly and productively.
- We use resources creatively and responsibly.
- We abide by the NAEYC Code of Ethics and Statement of Commitment.
And More!
The “And More” in our name carries profound meaning. It represents the promise we make to our families and our community: that we will always do more when we can, give more when it’s needed, and lead with compassion even when it’s difficult. It is the belief that if we can help, we will help. This commitment is both a responsibility and an honor, and a tribute to my mother, who lived her life giving freely to others without expectation.
I was raised in Bayonne, a community that shaped me in ways words can’t fully capture. It is a place built on connection, loyalty, and people showing up for one another. Education, to us, is not confined to classrooms or lesson plans. It lives in the moments of connection, in acts of kindness, and in the relationships we build along the way. Our hope is a kind of place for others where families feel seen, supported, and deeply valued.