Nurturing curiosity in every child.

Located inside Explora, Brillante Early Learning Center currently operates two pilot childcare and preschool classrooms for children ages 2-5, offering STEAM-rich, play-based learning in a warm, relationship-centered environment. We also provide home visiting services for families across the community, drop-in study hours for CNM student parents, and serve as the home of the Coalition for Science Learning in Early Childhood. Through our partnership with CNM, we support the early childhood workforce as well, creating strong pathways for both children and adults. Together, we help families give their children the very best start.

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Our Mission

Brillante's mission is to support our community by increasing the local capacity for accessible high-quality early learning and care for student and working families, building the early childhood workforce, and serving as a hub for family and community resources.

Our Values

We are committed to being a relevant, thriving program that supports our children, families, educators, and our community. We value inclusion and the full participation of those with varied abilities and identities, while honoring cultural and linguistic diversity. We work to advance equity and remove barriers for historically excluded groups, knowing that starting early creates opportunity for all.

Our work is grounded in five core values: Children, Community, Professionalism, Care, and Experiential Inquiry.

Our History

Brillante launched two classrooms at Explora in August 2023 and May 2024 to meet an urgent need in our community for high-quality child care and preschool, while developing our new early learning program. Our mission continues to expand! Construction is underway on the new Brillante Early Learning Center, a future facility that will serve more than 100 infants, toddlers, and young children. We expect to move into our new building in October of 2026.

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As New Mexico’s first and only museum-based early learning center, Brillante also supports the professional development needs of our local early childhood community. We serve as a lab school for CNM’s Early Childhood Multicultural Education program and a mentorship site for the Early Childhood Mentors Network. As we continue to grow, we will support the work of other community-focused early childhood programs across New Mexico and serve as a hub for community resources.

Our Team

Sarah McKinney

Director Of Brillante Early Learning Center

Sarah has a Bachelor’s degree from UNM, a Master’s from George Washington University in Early Childhood Special Education, and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in Education Leadership. She has worked in the public schools and community-based early childhood programs and spent time as a work-at-home parent with her own three children. Sarah is passionate about building systems that give all families access to joyful, high-quality early learning, care, and support. Sarah enjoys powerlifting, gardening, working on house projects, and watercolor painting.

Michaela Fournier

Pedagogy & Curriculum Coordinator

Micci has a Bachelor's degree in Educational Studies and will finish her Master's degree in Innovative Early Childhood Education at the University of Colorado–Denver this spring. As the oldest of 9 children and a mother of 2, she has been “teaching” her whole life but has had a career in formal education for the last 20 years. She is passionate about elevating the work of young children and advocating for educational practices that are rooted in the lived experiences and cultural wisdoms of our community. Micci enjoys floating in the pool, consistently failing at gardening, cooking elaborate weeknight meals, and singing with her barbershop chorus.

Hollie Putnam

Atelierista

Hollie grew up in her dad’s pottery studio and her mom’s art classroom and has had a love for art studios and material practices her whole life. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting at the University of Oregon, Hollie pursued education with a Master in Early Childhood Education from the University of Missouri, St. Louis; and a Master in Art Education from the University of New Mexico. Hollie is inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach and believes that reflection, relationships, playful research, and listening are at the core of teaching and learning. When she’s not in classrooms or studios, Hollie enjoys powerlifting, walking along the river with her dogs, chaotically gardening, and DIYing her way through projects on her endless home improvement to-do list.

Victoria Roanhorse

Manager Of The Coalition For Science Learning In Early Childhood

Victoria has a Bachelor’s degree from UNM in Psychology and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University. She has been in early childhood education for over ten years and loves bringing the excitement of science, mathematics, art, and engineering to children, families, and educators. She is especially interested in everyday and cultural science experiences. Victoria enjoys playing in dirt, looking at insects, and blowing bubbles with her five-year-old daughter, Lucille.

Amelia Cordova

Home Visiting Program Manager

Amelia has over 25 years of experience working with children and families. During her time as a Head Start & Early Head Start teacher, she earned her Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s in Special Education. After making the shift to home visiting and community support work, Amelia earned a second Master’s in Family Dynamics. Amelia is driven by the idea of helping children feel seen and understood in their world. She finds adventure each day by spending time with her daughter, being outdoors, playing in water, doing puzzles, playing games, and being with others.

Our Approach

At Brillante Early Learning Center, we believe young children are naturally curious and capable, and we design learning experiences that follow their interests, ideas, and questions. Our classrooms offer STEAM-rich, open-ended materials, creative projects, outdoor exploration, and opportunities to investigate the world around them. Our work is inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach, supported by research in child development, enriched by our connection to the museum and community spaces, and aligned with NM Early Learning Guidelines and high-quality program standards.

Relationships are at the heart of everything we do. Children learn best when they feel safe, supported, and seen, so our teachers take time to understand each child's personality, culture, communication style, and needs. We provide reflective, consistent guidance that helps children develop self-control, empathy, and strong social skills. Key to our relationship-based approach is our belief that families are a child's first and most important teachers. Every family brings unique strengths, languages, and experiences that enrich our community, and we strive to create a welcoming space where everyone feels valued and supported.

At Brillante, teaching and learning are collaborative, joyful, and rooted in curiosity. Together with children, families, and educators, we create a caring community where every child can explore, learn, and thrive.

Non-Discrimination Clause

Brillante Early Learning Center promotes equal access of services for all children and families. In accordance with federal civil rights law, regulations, and policies, Brillante does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.