Built for Our Children, Created for Yours
Before River Meadow opened its doors, we were simply parents searching for the right place for our own children.
We wanted an environment where children were more than cared for. We wanted them to be truly known, encouraged, and celebrated. We envisioned a place where teachers could be fully present, classrooms could inspire imagination, and children could learn through meaningful experiences, hands-on exploration, and time spent discovering the world around them.
When we couldn't find the environment we hoped for, we decided to create it.
The name River Meadow is a reminder of where this journey began. It comes from the middle names of our two oldest daughters, Sage River and Rain Meadow, who were the children we were raising when we first dreamed of creating this place. What started as a vision for our own family became a community where other children and families could experience the same care, connection, and joy we hoped to provide for our own.
River Meadow was built around one simple question:
Would we want this for our own children?
That question continues to guide every decision we make. From our inspiring classrooms and expansive outdoor spaces to the relationships our teachers build with children and families, every part of River Meadow reflects our belief that children deserve an early learning experience filled with connection, curiosity, confidence, and joy.
Our Leadership
Mallory Gwyn, Co-Founder
Mallory's passion for early childhood education began in the classroom as an elementary school teacher and grew even deeper when she became a mother. Her journey as an educator and parent has shaped her belief that children thrive when they are surrounded by meaningful relationships, engaging experiences, and a place where they feel valued.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Teaching in Schools and Society with a concentration in advocacy, a K–5 teaching license, an early childhood education certificate, and an administrative certificate. Her background in education, tutoring, and raising her own children gives her a unique perspective on child development, curriculum, and the importance of creating a strong foundation during the early years.
Together with Seth, Mallory created River Meadow to be the kind of early learning environment they wanted for their own children: a place where children are truly known, relationships create the foundation for learning, and every experience is intentionally designed to encourage curiosity, build confidence, and support each child's growth.
Mallory can be found throughout River Meadow each day, connecting with children, supporting teachers, and building relationships with families while helping ensure the heart and values that brought the school to life continue to guide its future.
Seth Gwyn, Co-Founder
Seth has always been someone who believes in showing up for the people who count on him. Throughout his life, hard work, responsibility, and caring for others have shaped the way he approaches every challenge. Those same values became the foundation for the role he now plays in the River Meadow community.
If you've visited River Meadow, there's a good chance you've already met Seth. He is often one of the first people families connect with, whether welcoming children through the doors each morning, answering questions, giving tours, or helping parents feel at ease during the transition into childcare. His warmth, enthusiasm, and genuine care for families have made him a familiar and trusted face throughout the school.
Seth believes that choosing a place for your child is a deeply personal decision. He takes pride in creating a community where children feel excited to arrive, families feel supported, and every person who walks through the doors knows they belong.
Alongside Mallory, Seth helped create River Meadow as the kind of place they wanted for their own children: a place where children are celebrated, teachers are valued, and families become part of a community.
Brittany Decker, Director
Brittany brings more than 15 years of experience in early childhood education, dedicating her entire career to creating safe, nurturing, and engaging environments for children and families. Beginning as a classroom teacher and growing into leadership roles, she has developed a deep understanding of what children, teachers, and families need to thrive.
Throughout her career, Brittany has served as both a teacher and childcare administrator, supporting classroom teams, guiding teachers, managing daily operations, and ensuring high standards for safety, compliance, and quality care. Her extensive knowledge of early childhood regulations and best practices allows her to provide the structure, consistency, and support that help a strong program flourish.
Brittany believes the best childcare environments are built by people who know the children, understand the classrooms, and are present in the daily life of the school. That belief is one of the reasons she was drawn to River Meadow, where leadership is accessible, relationships matter, and decisions are made with children and families at the center.
As Director, Brittany works closely with teachers, children, and families to continue building the warm, intentional environment that makes River Meadow special. Her experience, steady leadership, and genuine care for the early childhood community make her an invaluable part of the River Meadow team.
Kellie Moore, Assistant Director
Kellie brings a passion for early childhood education, a wealth of classroom experience, and a genuine love for helping children feel safe, confident, and excited to learn. With a wealth of experience as a lead teacher, she understands the importance of creating a classroom environment where children are known, supported, and encouraged to grow.
Kellie earned her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and has continued expanding her knowledge through additional professional development, including North Carolina Administrative Credentials. Her experience in the classroom, combined with her training in early childhood education and program leadership, allows her to support both children and teachers with a thoughtful, informed approach.
Throughout her career, Kellie has built strong relationships with children and families by creating classrooms centered around trust, communication, and meaningful experiences. She believes that the best early learning environments are built on consistency, connection, and a deep understanding of each child's individual needs.
As Assistant Director at River Meadow, Kellie brings the perspective of an experienced classroom teacher while helping support the teachers, families, and children who make our community special. Her warmth, dedication, and commitment to early childhood education make her an invaluable part of the River Meadow team.
Our mission
At River Meadow, we believe every child deserves to be known, loved and encouraged to explore the world with confidence. Our mission is to provide exceptional early childhood education in a nurturing environment where children feel safe, supported and excited to learn each day.
Through meaningful relationships, hands on experiences, outdoor discovery, and play-based learning, we help children build the social, emotional, physical and academic skills they need to thrive. We believe that the early years should be filled with curiosity, creativity, laughter and opportunities to discover the world through joyful exploration.
When families choose River Meadow, they are placing their trust in us, and we consider that our greatest privilege and a responsibility. We are committed to creating a place where children are genuinely cared for, families feel connected, and every child leaves with a strong foundation for kindergarten, a lifelong love of learning, and memories of a childhood well spent.