The Methodist Day School (MDS) is a non-profit ministry of the First Church of Naples, Florida.
It is dedicated to providing quality care and education to young children within a Christian environment.
About MDS Preschool
We have been nurturing and educating children since 1961 and We Love What We Do! We are the oldest preschool in Naples, Florida!
MDS was created to provide an environment which develops and nurtures each individual child’s growth and learning. MDS strives to meet the varied needs of today’s families. We are passionate about providing a loving atmosphere where children from all backgrounds can flourish and grow.
All the children go to chapel once a month with Pastor Scott, the first Friday of every month. We invite all MDS families to come to chapel with their child. Pastor Scott tells a Bible story, plays guitar and teaches the children a song that is related to the Bible story. Chapel is very interactive and loved by all.
Our premiere preschool serves children Toddler through 5 years of age. We are equipped with a loving and experienced staff that has been nationally background screened, and holds certification in CPR/First Aid. Our talented teaching team have outstanding educational credentials, experience and other advanced certifications in the field of early childhood education. Our teachers are the cornerstone of our program. Many of our teachers have been with us for over 15 years. We praise God for all of them!
Our program is set up to continue to build on the learning blocks of the previous year until reaching Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten. VPK is a government-funded program to help prepare students for Kindergarten. Our school follows the Collier County School Calendar.
Our Campus & Outdoor Space
The preschool campus is a nurturing and vibrant environment designed to support young children’s growth, creativity, and curiosity. It features four spacious classrooms, each thoughtfully arranged with age-appropriate toys, books, and art supplies. Each classroom is equipped with well-defined learning centers, such as areas for dramatic play, building blocks, sensory exploration, and early literacy. These centers encourage hands-on, exploratory learning and foster individual and group interactions.
The classrooms also include cozy spaces for group time, where children gather for story reading, singing, and discussions. Additionally, there are child-sized tables for small-group activities, including arts and crafts, puzzles, and early academic projects. The layout ensures smooth transitions between structured activities and free play.
The outdoor space complements the indoor environment, providing a safe and stimulating playground with age-appropriate equipment. Our playground is very spacious and provides natural shade. We have swings, bikes, large & small blocks, tunnels and many gross motor skill activities on our playground. Every classroom goes outside each day; weather permitting.
This well-rounded campus is designed to inspire joy, collaboration, and discovery in young learners.
Take A Virtual TourMDS Preschool Staff
Click a staff members photo to read their bio.
Alicia Silvin
Director of MDS
Audrey Zorn
VPK Assistant Teacher and Aftercare Teacher
Cathy Ledbetter
Three-Year Teacher
Alicia Silvin, is the Director of Methodist Day School and has been here for eight years. Alicia grew up in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. She always has had a passion for working with children as she would volunteer as a Sunday school teacher at her home church. Alicia was a Student Ambassador to China and spent time there learning the culture and spending time in their elementary schools in various parts of the country. She also competed in international swim meets in the Netherlands on the USA team. Alicia graduated from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania with a degree in Economics and a minor in Communications. After graduating college, Alicia moved to Naples and worked for UBS Financial Services in Financial Planning. She got married and then in 2004 had her first child, Alexander. It was then she wanted to follow her passion and began her journey working with children. She received her Child Development Associate degree as well as her Florida State teaching certificate and taught Kindergarten and First Grade in Collier County. She then went on to get her Childcare Management degree and began working as a School Director. Alicia came to MDS in 2016 and feels very fortunate to be getting to know you!
Audrey Zorn, is a dedicated VPK Assistant Teacher and Aftercare Teacher at MDS where she plays a crucial role in nurturing young children’s development. With a passion for early childhood education, Audrey helps children enhance their reading and writing skills and engages them in various art projects and creative activities. Audrey brings three years of valuable experience in the field of childcare. Prior to her current role, she worked in a preschool gaining hands-on experience providing support to young children. Additionally, she served as a Recreational Specialist for two-year-olds, where she was actively involved in school break camps and assisted in a VPK classroom as an assistant teacher. Audrey also contributed to an afterschool program, further demonstrating her commitment to children’s growth and development. Audrey is passionate about fostering a positive and engaging learning environment, where children can thrive and reach their full potential.
Cathy Ledbetter, is the Three-Year Teacher at Methodist Day School and has been educating children at MDS for 36 years. Cathy brings years of teaching experience into her classroom. Cathy has a passion for teaching and her goal is to provide a safe, happy environment for all of her students as well as developing positive relationships with all of her families. Cathy is married and has two children, John and Sara who attended MDS! Both John and Sara still have friends from MDS.
Angela Weiler
VPK Teacher
Marjorie Veratti
Two-Year Teacher
Evangeline Avila
Toddler Teacher
Angela Weiler, is our VPK Teacher. Angela has over 15 years of teaching experience that she has brought with her to MDS. She has taught two-year-olds, three-year-olds, and four to five years olds. Her favorite age group being four- and five-year-olds. Angela has her Child Development Associate Degree and holds several VPK certifications. Angela grew up in Naples, Florida and is a graduate of Barron Collier High School. Angela is married and has three children that attend school in Collier County. She enjoys spending time with her family and walking on the beach when she is not teaching. Angela is a dedicated and compassionate teaching professional with the natural talent to reach every student and instill a love for learning.
Marjorie Veratti, is our Two-Year Teacher. She is an upbeat and energetic childcare professional that brings years of experience into her classroom. Margie is also a Sunday School Teacher at our church, First United Methodist Church of Naples.
Evangeline Avila, is our Toddler Teacher. Evie is originally from California and moved to Naples after getting married and having her daughter. She earned a degree in Business Management from Holy Names University in California. Evie has a passion for working with children and has many years of nannying experience. Out of all the age groups Evie has worked with, she loves toddlers best. Evangeline creates educational programs that meet developmental milestones for the children in her classroom. She provides support tailored to individual student’s needs.