History

Ava and Nancy decided in the spring of 2008 to strike out on their own and create their very own preschool.  Being late in the game, they worked long days developing their school.  As they opened their doors for the very first time, they felt confident in the service they are providing the towns' children.

Their mission is to provide age-appropriate learning for children from the ages of 2 ½ years to 5 years in a safe, happy, and nurturing environment.  They will help each child develop a positive self-concept, and become self-directing.  The total child will be educated through physical, social, creative, emotional and cognitive development, hands on experiences, and active learning.  Their commitment is always the happiness and well being of each child.

Our Teaching Staff


Ava Meade is the head teacher of our school.  She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Kean University in Union, New Jersey and is a certified Preschool Teacher. She substituted many years in the Caldwell - West Caldwell public school system before becoming a preschool teacher in 2002 at A Pleasant Day Nursery School in Caldwell, NJ. During her tenure there, she created an academic curriculum based in play.  She is married with two children.  She resides in Caldwell, NJ where she has been a member of the community since her childhood.  She welcomes the opportunity of developing this school in its infancy. 
Nancy Hartelius has over twenty years experience in preschool education.  She currently acts as our Director and the teacher of the threes' classroom.  She spent a bulk of her years teaching at A Pleasant Day Nursery School in Caldwell, NJ.  During her time at A Pleasant Day, she developed a strong program for the three year old age group.  Nancy attended college in Texas where she earned her degree in home economics and is certified in elementary education.  She is now married with three children.  She looks forward to continuing to teach while also taking on the challenge of directing her own school.

Lonnie Cancialosi has over twenty years of experience working with three year old children.  She has three children.

Laura Bitetto and Debbie Rosen have a combined total of over twenty years experience in teaching the two-year-old age group.  Their caring and nurturing ways make a child's first experience outside of the home a positive and happy one.  Social skills are emphasized with a program filled with art, music, dance, books, and play.  Colors, shapes, and letters are introduced.  
Debbie Capozzoli helps out in our four year old class.  She is married with three children of her own.  We welcome her fresh ideas to our school.
Ashleigh Grenci provides after-school services for our program. She is currently studying Sociology at Caldwell College and has years of experience caring for children as a baby-sitter, camp counselor for Caldwell-West Caldwell Recreation, and as our after-school care.



The entire staff are residents of the West Caldwell area.  With firm roots in the community, we are working hard to establish a program that will help area students become the best they can be!

Location

We are located at 31 Fairfield Avenue in West Caldwell, NJ.  This road runs between Bloomfield Avenue and Passaic Avenue and is located in the West Caldwell Presbyterian Church.