Kelli Wirth — Founder, Administrator
Kelli Wirth is the founder and administrator of Little Cubs Preschool and a licensed child care provider for the state of Washington. With more than eight years of experience as a preschool teacher, Kelli brings a blend of creativity, professionalism, and heartfelt dedication to early childhood education.
Before opening Little Cubs, Kelli built a successful career at IBM, specializing in project management and team development. Her ability to guide complex projects from concept to completion strengthened her natural vision and leadership—skills that now shape the thoughtful, child-centered environment at Little Cubs.
Kelli’s passion for working with children has been a constant thread throughout her life. She has held roles at a pediatric clinic, the University of Wisconsin Childcare Center, and The Children’s Hospital of Minneapolis, experiences that deepened her commitment to nurturing children’s growth and well‑being. After eight years in corporate management, she made the bold decision to align her heart with her work, shifting her focus to opening her own in‑home preschool while nannying for families in the Seattle area.
Kelli infuses the classroom with creativity through painting, drawing, and music. She delights in sparking curiosity, encouraging exploration, and celebrating each child’s unique way of learning. Her Bachelor of Science in Health Care from the University of Wisconsin, paired with her Washington State teaching and childcare licenses, grounds her practice in both knowledge and compassion.
When she’s not teaching, Kelli can be found playing beach volleyball, snowboarding, gardening, or playing board games with friends.
Sandra Deollas — Lead Teacher
Sandra Deollas has spent the last four years helping Little Cubs Preschool thrive with her calm presence, thoughtful teaching style, and deep commitment to child development. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies and brings valuable experience from her work as a Behavioral Technician at Malama Pono Autism Center, where she supported young learners with individualized care and compassion.
Sandra is known for her patience, creativity, and ability to meet children exactly where they are. She brings a gentle structure to the classroom, encouraging independence while nurturing each child’s unique strengths.
Her hobbies reflect the same creativity and mindfulness she brings to her teaching. Sandra enjoys knitting — even spinning her own alpaca fur into yarn — as well as painting, taking long walks with her dog Petey, gardening, and diving into books or audiobooks whenever she can.
Brianne “Bri” Schuster — Lead Teacher
Brianne “Bri” Schuster has been a beloved part of the Little Cubs community for the past five years. With a Master’s degree in Education and School Counseling, Bri brings a deep understanding of child development and a strong foundation in social‑emotional learning to the classroom.
Before joining Little Cubs, Bri served as a school counselor in both the Highline and Bremerton School Districts, where she supported students through emotional growth, conflict resolution, and academic transitions. Her background gives her a unique ability to help young children build confidence, navigate big feelings, and develop healthy relationships.
Bri’s teaching style is warm, grounded, and highly attuned to the needs of each child. She creates a classroom environment where students feel safe, seen, and encouraged to explore their world with curiosity.
Outside of school, Bri enjoys playing beach volleyball, skiing in the mountains, and cheering on her favorite Seattle sports teams.
Team Bonding Hike!
Testimonials from Little Cub Parents:
“We love Little Cubs! It is a unique preschool where our son has thrived. He spends much of his time outdoors getting dirty in rain, sunshine and even snow. Part of the curriculum is to walk to parks, explore the forest, meet neighborhood workers (police officers, firefighters, trash collectors, construction workers) and garden in their spacious backyard. He is so proud to show off the kale he helped plant and eats carrots right out of the ground (after washing of course). They learn about spiders and bugs in the classroom and then discover them under rocks during outdoor adventures. Kelli and Bri are great teachers and wonderful caregivers. They let the kids be kids and encourage them to explore to their best capabilities. We recommend them to anyone and everyone.”
-Brian, Lisa, and Patrick
Little Cub Family
“Signing our son up for Little Cubs Preschool was the best early education decision. We love that learning occurs in the outdoors while splashing in puddles, digging in the class garden, exploring the beach and running through the woods! Our son’s love of nature has blossomed, as well as his social skills, all while building a strong educational base for his future.”
-Hannah & Anthony
Little Cub Family
Fun Fact: Your teacher likes to shred!
Video: Kelli and Katherine’s inspiration for Little Cubs from their first cub sighting together in the Olympic National Forest!
Little Cubs Preschool 