Meet the Play & Learn Team
Wendy Bell
Owner
Wendy has been the owner of Play & Learn Early Childhood Center since 2013. She is an ISU graduate who has lived, worked, and raised children in Ames for over 35 years. Wendy received her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Reading Endorsement from ISU. She is a NAC certified Early Childhood Education Program Administrator.
Wendy has three adult daughters and a multitude of grand kitties. When Wendy is not at the center, she enjoys hanging out with her poodle, Ivy, and her golden doodle, Owen. She is an avid reader, and loves to paint, cook, and bake.
Wendy says, “The best part of working with children is that their JOY is absolutely contagious. You cannot spend time in a classroom and not come out with a big smile on your face.”
Lacey Wyckoff
Director
Lacey has worked at Play & Learn since 2013. She has been an assistant teacher, lead teacher in infants and toddler classrooms and has held both the Assistant Director and the Director positions here at Play and Learn. Lacey is a NAC-certified Early Childhood Program Administrator and holds a certificate in Early Childhood Education from DMACC.
“LEARNING AND TEACHING IS MESSY STUFF. IT DOESN’T FIT INTO BUBBLES.” -MICHELE FORMAN
Allison Hauge
Assistant Director
Allison has worked at Play & Learn Early Childhood Center since 2014. She has been an assistant teacher in toddlers & 2s, and a lead teacher in our Infants, Preschool, and PreK/School Age rooms. She was also our Curriculum Coordinator for 4 years before being promoted to Assistant Director in 2025. During her years at Play & Learn, Allison has earned her diploma in Early Childhood Education, the National Administrator Credential, and accumulated hundreds of hours of continuing education training.
When Allison is not at the center, you can find her at a variety of sporting events cheering on her own kids, or outside with her dog, Cooper. In her spare time, Allison loves to read, go hiking, and watch the Minnesota Vikings!
“Play is the highest form of research.” ~ Albert Einstein
jennifer mcmullen
curriculum coordinator
Jen is in her twelfth year at Play & Learn! She studied Creative Writing at DMACC and Iowa State, and has accumulated hundreds of hours of Early Childhood continuing ed. She has been the assistant teacher in many classrooms as well as lead in both toddler rooms and infant room. Currently, she is the lead teacher in the infant room, old toddler room and the Curriculum Coordinator.
Jen’s family consists of two cats, Francis and Kevin, a hamster, Dos Pequitos, two children, Leon (14) and Agnes (2) and her husband, Ryan. In her free time Jen loves reading, painting, watching TV, drawing, going on nature walks and doing arts and crafts with her daughter.