St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, Groton CT - Preschool >> Facilities & Staff

Our program offers several learning areas where children play: Block Building Woodworking Home Living Books Listening Center Manipulative Toys Art / Fine Motor Outside Play / Gross Motor Science / Sensory Writing Center 2-year old classroom (view 1) 2-year old classroom (view 2) 2-year old classroom (view 3)	3-year & 4/5-year old classroom (view 1) 3-year & 4/5-year old classroom (view 2) 3-year & 4/5-year old classroom (view 3) 3-year & 4/5-year old classroom (view 4) 3-year & 4/5-year old classroom (view 5)
2-year old playground (near entrance) 3-year & 4/5-year old playground (left)	2-year old playground (aerial) 3-year & 4/5-year old playground (right)

**** PRESCHOOL STAFF ****
We are privileged to have seven experienced and dedicated professionls running our preschool.

Pat Dalton (Director): has been teaching in public and preschools for twenty-five years. She was director of the existing preschool for four years prior to moving it to St Andrew. Her degree is in Early Childhood Education.

Ginny Clarke (3's Teacher's Assistant & 4/5's Teacher): has been teaching in public and preschools for twenty-two years. She taught at the existing preschool prior to it moving to St. Andrew. Her degree is in Special Education.

Christy McElroy (2's Teacher): has several years of experience with children. She worked for Pfizer Kids (formerly Bright Horizon Family Solutions as a Toddler Teacher, Head Kindergarten Teacher and Program Coordinator. She has a Masters in Education, majoring in Art with a teaching certification.

Donna O'Hanlon (4/5's Teacher's Assistant): has seven years of experience with Home Day Care out of her home. She is presently the Director of Christian Education at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church. This is her 4th year working at the preschool.

Lisa Tess (3's Teacher's Assistant): has worked in the Groton Public Schools. She has worked with the children in various areas but mostly helped children get caught up to their grade level. She is a preschool parent alumni and has two children that have graduated from St. Andrew Preschool. Lisa was a regular substitute teacher for St. Andrew for the past two years.

Cindy Clarke (2's Teacher's Assistant): has a degree in Horticulture and has two young children. One child is enrolled in our 3-year-old program and the other child recently graduated from St. Andrew Preschool and is now in first grade.

Heather Gillies (2's Teacher's Assistant): has a degree in Early Childhood Studies from England as well as certification in premature babies and neonatal care. Heather has worked for several years as the Children's Librarian and Assistant Director at the Stonington Free Library in Stonington. She also worked several years at the Mystic and Noank Library as a Children's Librarian

Susan Schildknegt (2's Teacher's Assistant): has a degree in Chemistry. She has taught several years of Christian education at Sacred Heart Church. Susan has worked as a librarian aid at the Groton Public Schools and has worked as a teacher's helper in her children's classes in Groton. She is also an alumni partent of St. Andrew Preschool.

In addition, special guests and activities are brought in to augment the program. These have included:

Hay ride
Kinder music (includes voice and instruments)
Story time
Puppetry
Fire Company (complete with fire truck and fire hats
Dentist