Building and enhancing the total child.
About Play N' Learn Christian Academy
Nationally Accredited Early Childhood Education in Dallas, TX Since 1998
Bennett and Mae Oputa
Founders
Bennett and Mae Oputa founded Play N' Learn Christian Academy in 1998 with a vision to create a place where faith and learning were not separate but inseparable. With backgrounds in accounting and engineering, they built PNLCA from the ground up, growing it from a small group of families into one of Dallas's most respected early childhood institutions. Together, Bennett and Mae have continued to grow PNLCA's academic reputation, earning national accreditation and expanding its programs to serve children from birth through 12 years old. Their leadership is hands-on, faith-led, and deeply personal.
Chuck and Andrea Oputa
Administration
Chuck and Andrea Oputa lead Play N' Learn Christian Academy today, bringing a combination of personal investment and professional expertise that is rare in early childhood education. Raised within the PNLCA community, Chuck brings an intimate understanding of the academy's values and its families, along with a background in public service that has led him from Washington D.C. to his current pursuit of a Doctorate of Education. Andrea has a background in federal human resources and earned a Master's in Public Administration after early years in her career with the Boys and Girls Club and YMCA.
Chantal Pesina
Director of Early Childhood Education
Chantal Pesina has served as the director of Play N Learn since 2015 and shifts between her role as a valued mentor teacher and a strategic program administrator day in and day out. Chantal interacts with each PNLCA student with tender care and appreciation for each stage of the child development process. Our parents trust that Chantal will communicate with them and their child with intentionality. Her priority is that PNLCA students are safe and sound as well as stretched to reach their highest potential. Her work supports our ability to ensure your children are growing and progressing towards every developmental milestone.
Our Mission
At Play N' Learn Christian Academy, our mission is to build and enhance the total child through the six domains of child development: gross and fine motor skills, social-emotional, sensory, language, cognitive, and perception.
We believe that children grow and learn best in a safe, structured environment that celebrates their individuality, nurtures their curiosity, and grounds them in faith. Every program, every lesson, and every interaction at PNLCA is designed with that mission at the center.
The PNLCA Proven Approach
A Parent's Guide to Early Childhood Excellence at Play N' Learn Christian Academy
Twenty-five years of nationally accredited early childhood education doesn't happen by accident. The PNLCA Proven Approach takes you inside the philosophy, curriculum, and values that have made Play N' Learn the top choice for Dallas families.
Our Values
At PNLCA, everything we do is guided by four core commitments:
Academic Excellence
We hold ourselves to the highest standards in early childhood education, backed by national accreditation and over 25 years of proven results in Dallas.
Faith at the Center
Biblical principles are not an add-on at PNLCA. They are the lens through which we teach, interact, and grow together every single day.
The Whole Child
We recognize that children are more than students. Our programs are designed to develop every dimension of a child - intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
Family Partnership
We have always believed that the best outcomes for children happen when schools and families work together. That belief is woven into everything from our SmartCare updates to our parent workshops and open-door community.
Our Values
At PNLCA, everything we do is guided by four core commitments:
Academic Excellence
We hold ourselves to the highest standards in early childhood education, backed by national accreditation and over 25 years of proven results in Dallas.
Faith at the Center
Biblical principles are not an add-on at PNLCA. They are the lens through which we teach, interact, and grow together every single day.
The Whole Child
We recognize that children are more than students. Our programs are designed to develop every dimension of a child - intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.
Family Partnership
We have always believed that the best outcomes for children happen when schools and families work together. That belief is woven into everything from our SmartCare updates to our parent workshops and open-door community.
Play N' Learn Christian Academy was featured in Voyage Dallas, recognized for its founding story, community impact, and proven approach to faith-based early childhood education in Dallas.
Recognized for Excellence
PNLCA's commitment to quality is not something we just talk about - it is something we have earned.
National Accreditation Commission (NAC) for Early Care and Education Programs:
recognizing our dedication to the highest standards in early childhood education
Texas Rising Star
4 out of 4 Star Certification:
the highest rating awarded by the Texas Rising Star quality recognition system
Our Community Commitment
PNLCA has always believed that its responsibility extends beyond the classroom. Each year, the academy gives back to the wider Dallas community through:
Back-to-School Backpack and School Supply Drive
Free Fall Harvest Festival for safe family fun in the community
Collaborative partnerships with Speech Language Pathologists and Photographers to support children's development and milestone moments
Come Experience PNLCA for Yourself
The best way to understand what makes Play N' Learn Christian Academy different is to see it in action. We invite you to visit our Dallas campus, meet our team, and experience firsthand the warmth, expertise, and faith-filled learning environment that Dallas families have trusted for over 25 years.
Find Us
9510 Military Pkwy, Dallas Texas 75227
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