Provider/Owner
My name is Annie Benedict. I started Annie's Playcare January of 1991. I started out watching neighbors children, and by word of mouth my daycare has become what it is today. My goal is to provide for the needs of all children, regardless of developmental ability or need, and to get children off to a good start when it comes to their education and future endeavors. I have raised 2 beautiful children. My daughter was born in 1990 and my son in 1994. Both have become very successful adults and have made their mom and dad very proud. Since I originally wrote all this I have become a grandmother 4 X's over. My daughter now has 3 beautiful children and my son has 1 child. Again I am so proud of who they have become as adults but most importantly what great parents they are.
Full Time Assistant
Barry has worked for Annie's Playcare since February of 2012. Barry previously worked as a dock worker for 18 years. His place of employment was consolidating his department in an already established department and were finding him things to do. At the same time Annie's Playcares previous assistant was going to open her own daycare. Barry decided to leave his place of employment after 18 years and come work with Annie's Playcare. It was the best decision we ever made. All the children and families love him. Barry has been a perfect asset to Annie's Playcare. Barry brings to Playcare a lot of knowledge and loves to cook with the children, in fact He does all the cooking for Playcare. Barry has a real knack with children. No matter where we go children seem to flock around him.
Full Time Assistant
Sydney started with Annie's Playcare in 9/2025 as a part time assistant. She has shown her love and understanding of children in a short amount of time. On 2/2/2026 Sydney was promoted as our full time assistant provider. Sydney grew up in Maine with a large family, she then moved to Oklahoma for a stint and then ended up in Rochester when we were lucky to have acquired her. She is a mom herself and has a beautiful daughter named Charlotte (Charlie). Sydney helps teach our preschool with ease and organization. She always keeps the children focused and relaxed. She loves to read to all the children as well as individualized reading. The children feel at ease with her and she always has something compassionate to say to them. She is wonderful with redirection and handling any situation that may arise with grace, patience and understanding. I am always finding her on the floor with the children leading them in a finger play, song or an activity and the children are having fun, laughing and singing right along with her. Sydney has been a wonderful addition to our Playcare. We are so glad she found her way to Rochester and that our paths met.
Clean Up Crew
RIP 9/8/22. She lived to be 18 years and will always be remembered as we all miss her terribly!! Ryely was in daycare since she was born in 2004. Ryely was a black lab/border collie mix. She went for some very extensive puppy training and it had paid off, we couldn't ask for a better dog. Ryely had grown up in the daycare. She was always there to welcome you in the morning. The children can crawl all over Ryely and pull her tail and ears and she handled it like a champ. She was very proud of her job position here at Playcare. She waited very patiently in the playroom for the children to finish eating. After meals Ryely would go in and performed her clean up duty on the floor. Those children left behind many treats for Ryely. Must be why she loved the children so much. She was always up to date on her vaccines and also had her dog license.
Chaos Coordinator
Holly was born 7/29/2022. She has made a great asset to Playcare. The children chase her all around the yard and get their work outs together. She loves the special treats the children leave behind after each meal. Holly is a black lab. She is up to date on all her vaccines and is also licensed with the town. As she grows she will become the children’s best friend. Welcome to Playcare Holly.
Part time Assistant
Lori and Annie have been friends since high school. We raised our children together and would camp together. Lori is married and has two children and a grand daughter. She has a great bubbly personality that is very contagious when you are together with her. Children love her and tend to flock to her. She always has a great outlook on life and it shows through her personality.
As needed Assistant
Kathy is a previous childcare owner. She operated her own family daycare out of her home and that’s how I met her. Kathy is also an assistant for her daughter. The children love Kathy. She has a natural way of working with children that attract their attention. She is in constant motion and on top of every situation. She follows behind the children consistently working with them on putting toys away when they are done with them. She loves to sit on the floor and brings out the children’s imaginations with the toys they are playing with. Very good with teaching the children sharing and taking turns.
