CCDC is proud to have dedicated and experienced professionals on staff.  Each classroom has a team of three teachers and one part time assistant teacher with the Older Toddler room having four full time teachers and two part time assistant teachers.  Ninety percent (90%) of our full time teachers have college degrees (75% with Bachelor Degrees) and have had previous experiences in Early Child Education before joining our staff.  We are fortunate to have several teachers who have been here for more than ten years.

To build on our strengths as a teaching staff full time teachers are required to complete 20-25 hours of professional development and training each year by attending workshops, taking courses, participating in conferences and increasing professional development experiences.  Last year the staff participated in several workshops as a group including:

• “Relaxation Techniques for Children in the Classroom”
• “Multiculturalism and the Developing Child”
• “Navigating the Tunnels of Life: Discipline, Coping, and Self Esteem.”

Individual Staff members also participated in various training opportunities focusing on topics such as:

• Attachment Theory
• Early Intervention
• Creative Curriculum
• Scientific and Mathematical Investigations
• Infant and Toddler Mental Health
• Playful Learning

Teachers are encouraged and supported in continuing their formal education in Early Childhood Education with support from our Patricia Nebel Teacher Education Fund.  Several teachers are currently enrolled in degree programs.

Director: Eileen Ward

Eileen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Fairfield University.  She began her employment at CCDC in 1981.  She was hired as a teacher in the Preschool Program, moved to the Young Toddler Program as a Head Teacher, became the Assistant Director and since 1986, the Director.  She holds a Connecticut Director’s Credential at the Master Level.  Eileen has completed extensive continuing education in child development, early childhood education, inclusion of children with disabilities and non-profit management through the Yale Child Study Center, Bank Street College of Education, Wheelock College, Teacher’s College, Columbia University, Reggio Emilia (Italy), the University of Connecticut Health Center, the University of Wisconsin, the National Association for the Education of Young Children and several other local and national organizations.  Eileen has also been involved on local and regional advisory councils, task forces and with public and private organizations dedicated to the care and education of all young children, their families and teachers. In 2010 she became a member of the Advisory Board of the Fairfield University Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions. In February 2010, Eileen was appointed to the Connecticut Early Childhood Education Cabinet.  The Cabinet advises the Governor and Legislature on school readiness issues.

At the 2009 United Way Live United Celebration and Awards Breakfast, Eileen was honored with the Elizabeth Roberts Award. In granting the award, the United Way said the following:

Eileen Ward is Executive Director of the Children’s Community Development Center, a premier childcare program in Westport.  She is a longtime community partner of United Way and dedicated volunteer.  Eileen’s expertise on Early Childhood Education is an invaluable asset in helping in determining critical needs in the area of early childhood education and developing strategies to address them.  A conversation about what is needed to help kids succeed is not complete without the input of Eileen.

Assistant Director: Libby Rackliffe Gustafson

Libby holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Biology and Early Childhood Care and Administration from Wheelock College in Boston, MA.  She started at CCDC as a Toddler teacher in 1997 moving to the Infant Program in 1999.  In 2004 she became the Assistant Director.  Libby has participated in continuing education and training through The National Association for the Education of young Children, Wheelock College, Zero-to-Three, the CT Association for Infant Mental Health, the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood and many other local and national organizations.

The Infant Team:

• Sharon, a Master Teacher has worked at CCDC since 1994. Sharon earned an Associate’s Degree in General Studies and a Child Development Associate Credential specializing in infants and toddlers.
• Amy, a Master Teacher has worked at CCDC since 2006. Amy earned an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Special Education.
• Melissa, a Teacher hired in 2009.  She had eight years experience working with infants and young children prior to joining CCDC. Melissa is enrolled in college studying Early Childhood Education.
• JoAnn, an Assistant Teacher has worked at CCDC since 2006.  JoAnn had five years working with young children prior to joining CCDC.

The Young Toddler Team:

• Kristin, a Master Teacher has worked at CCDC since 2004.  Kristin earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and is completing requirements for a Master’s in Early Childhood Special Education.
• Alyssa, a Master Teacher has worked at CCDC since 2007.  Alyssa earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication, with a minor in Education and a Master’s Degree in Communication.
• Courtney is a Teacher hired in 2008.  Courtney earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English and is currently earning college credits in Early Childhood Education.
• Meghan, an Assistant Teacher was hired in 2009.  She has three years experience working with young children.  Meghan earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Counseling.

The Older Toddler Team:

• Susan, a Master Teacher has worked at CCDC since 1997.  Susan earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology of the Family and is currently earning college credits in Early Childhood Education..
• Larissa, a Master Teacher has worked at CCDC since 1998.  She earned an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.
• Rondretta, a Master Teacher has worked at CCDC since 2005. Rondretta earned a Child Development Associate Credential, specializing in infants and toddlers.
• Jessica, a Teacher hired in 2005 is currently completing requirements for an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.
• Heather, an Assistant Teacher hired in 2010 is currently enrolled in college working on her degree in Early Childhood Education.
• Melissa, an Assistant Teacher hired in 2008, has completed module training for her Child Development Associate Credential.

The Preschool Three’s Team:

• Joanne, a Master Teacher has worked at CCDC since 1989.  Joanne earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English and completed the requirements in graduate school to become a certified teacher, Pre-K to eighth grade.
• Brittany, a Master Teacher began working at CCDC in 2008.  Brittany earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and is certified to teach Pre-K to Third Grade and Special Education Pre-K to Kindergarten.
• Allie, a teacher hired in 2009, had three years experience working with young children prior to joining CCDC.  She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations.
• Annie, an Assistant Teacher since 2007 is currently enrolled in college studying Early Childhood Education.
• Jackie, is the floater for our preschool rooms.  She worked at CCDC for four years in the 1990’s and returned in 2007 as a substitute.  She has a Master’s Degree in Education.

The Preschool Four’s Team:

• Liz, a Master Teacher has worked at CCDC since 2003.  Liz earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a minor in Education.
• Kelly, a Teacher hired in 2009 had four years experience working with young children prior to joining CCDC.  Kelly has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood.
• Ryan, a Teacher hired in 2008 is currently enrolled in college studying Physical Therapy.
  Alexis, an Assistant Teacher attended CCDC as an infant and young child, worked during the summer while attending college and began working regularly after graduating from college.