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Little girl playing with toys in playground
Meaningful Makeover logo

A web series featuring dynamic makeovers of early learning environments

Meaningful Makeover logo

A web series featuring dynamic makeovers of early learning environments

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Welcome to Meaningful Makeover

Research shows that small changes to a classroom can make a big impact on a child’s learning. Need some ideas to create a more engaging early learning environment? Meaningful Makeover is a web series created and produced by Gail Joseph, PhD, founding director of Cultivate Learning at the University of Washington. This series for educators and early learning providers offers tips, visuals, and inexpensive solutions that transform environments. It promotes learning opportunities, greater accessibility, and engagement. Each episode highlights simple improvements that are easy to make. Watch our educational environment experts as they team up with providers to show the secrets and science behind the most impactful early learning spaces.

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Before & After Gallery of Meaningful Makeovers

Check out these before and after photos!

Before

Before Meaningful Makeover

After
Before

Before Meaningful Makeover

After
Before

Before Meaningful Makeover

After
Before

Before Meaningful Makeover

After

Meet Our Hosts DeEtta Simmons and Jamie Phillips-Jimenez

DeEtta Simmons

DeEtta Simmons

DeEtta Simmons is a Cultivate Learning Senior Director at the University of Washington. She leads the data collection process for the Washington state Early Achievers Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). Before joining the Cultivate Learning team, DeEtta served children and families in rural Alaska, rural Hawaii, and Washington State in a variety of roles, including lead teacher, program director, and Family Childcare provider.

Jamie Phillips-Jimenez

Jamie Phillips-Jimenez

Jamie Phillips-Jimenez is the Quality Standards Manager at Cultivate Learning at the University of Washington. Jamie has been in the early childhood field for more than 10 years and as part of her work, Jamie has had the privilege of supporting Home-based early childcare programs by developing and providing training to the Spanish speaking providers in our state.

Children laughing and playing in a room newly madeover

Apply for a Meaningful Makeover!

Interested in having a meaningful makeover at your site? Applications are available in English, Spanish, Russian, Somali, and Vietnamese.

Meaningful Makeover in the News!

Surprised recipients of Meaningful Makeover

Check out this Seattle Times feature story about Meaningful Makeover! Read more on Seattle Times...

Dawn Williams speaking on stage

Watch an inspiring Meaningful Makeover EDUtalk from University of Washington College of Education Curriculum Specialist Dawn Williams. Watch more...

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