Greenwood Social Emotional Childcare Cooperative
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About GSECC

At Greenwood Social Emotional Child Care (GSECC), every child is welcomed, celebrated, and supported. We embrace diversity, inclusivity, and equality—creating a safe, respectful environment where children thrive.
Our play-based curriculum blends Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and Waldorf philosophies, encouraging individuality, independence, and creativity. Through exploration and guided play, children build lifelong skills in empathy, problem-solving, and confidence.
Founded in October 2023, we are a non-profit, employee-owned cooperative. With low staff-to-child ratios and a focus on social-emotional growth, we ensure every child receives the care and attention they deserve.
What makes us unique:
🌱 Whole-child approach — nurturing social, emotional, intellectual, creative, and physical development
🧩 Stability — classrooms move up together each September, fostering belonging and community
❤️ Invested educators — 84% staff retention rate (nearly double the state average)
📚 Quality assured — program aligned with Early Achievers standards
At GSECC, we’re more than childcare—we’re a cooperative community of educators, children, and families growing together with care and joy.

See how your child can grow with us — Schedule a Tour

Meet Our Admin Team

Dedicated professionals in supporting your child’s growth and ensuring a caring, organized environment.

Dawn Siewert

Director/Owner

For 19 years, Dawn has called North Seattle home, where she lives with her husband and is deeply connected to the community. With over 20 years of experience in Early Childhood Education—including 15 years as a dedicated classroom teacher—she combines professional expertise with a genuine passion for supporting children and families.

She holds an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and continues to expand her knowledge in trauma-informed strategies, child development, and leadership. At GSECC, Dawn is focused on building strong business practices while ensuring every child receives compassionate, individualized care that nurtures their social-emotional growth.

Outside of her role, Dawn is writing a historical vampire fantasy novel, blending her love of history and storytelling. She is also committed to her own mental health, which strengthens the resilience, empathy, and vision she brings to her leadership. She looks forward to welcoming families into the GSECC community.

Maria Fernandez

Assistant Director/Owner

With a decade of experience in Early Childhood Education and 8 years as a classroom teacher, Maria has dedicated herself to working extensively with children of all abilities. She has collaborated closely with specialists including Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Speech Therapists, and Behavioral Specialists to provide comprehensive support tailored to each child’s needs.

Maria holds an Associate’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Application Development. Her combined background in education and technical expertise fuels her vision of creating innovative tools and resources to better support inclusive childcare environments.

She fosters inclusive classrooms while supporting each child's unique journey of growth, and she is committed to nurturing social-emotional development so that every child feels valued, empowered, and fully supported to flourish. Maria would like to continue her education in play therapy, art therapy, and sensory-focused interventions to further enhance the ways she supports children’s social-emotional well-being.