Founder

Candice Correa – Co-Founder of The PlayPlace Early Learning Center

Candice began working in Preschools during college and quickly fell in love with serving families and young children.  Throughout the last 26 years, Candice has worked in various for profit, non-profit, and state funded programs in the Santa Clarita Valley as a Teacher and Administrator serving Infants, Toddlers, Preschool and School Age children and their families.  

Candice has her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from CSUN and Masters degree in Child Development from University of La Verne. Candice holds a Program Director Permit through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. She’s also been trained in Trauma Informed Care, Practice Based Coaching, and is a member of NAEYC.

She has resided in Santa Clarita since the 1990’s and lives with her husband and two children.  

Wendy Ruiz – Co-Founder of The PlayPlace Early Learning Center

Wendy has been in the field for over 30 years. Her professional experience spans from working directly with children ages 6 weeks through 12 years, working in  corporate childcare, state funded, lab schools and non- profit programs. Wendy was the Infant/Toddler Director at College of the Canyons Center for ECE for 11 years, until she became tenured faculty, where she has taught for over 25 years, specializing in Play-Based Curriculum, Infant/Toddler Development, Mentoring, Practicum and Supervision of Early Childhood Programs.

Wendy is a certified PITC Trainer (Program for Infants, Toddlers and Caregivers) for the Department Education and West Ed as well as a Director Mentor and Mentor Selection Committee Member for the California Mentor Teacher Program. In addition, Wendy has planned and implemented the NAEYC Week of the Young Play Day event for the city of Santa Clarita for over 15 years.

Wendy received her B.A. in Child Development from California State University of Northridge and her M.S. in Child Development/Child Life from the University of La Verne.

Wendy and her husband have resided in Santa Clarita with their 3 sons and 3 dogs, since 1995.