Our Staff

At CCDC, children are our ‘clients’ - we care for them with the deepest respect, giving them opportunities to love who they are and thrive everyday

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.  Nearly ninety percent (90%) of our full time teachers have college degrees (80%l 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. Individual Staff members also participated in various training opportunities focusing on topics such as:

  • CT Early Learning and Development Standards
  • CT Documentation and Observation for Teaching System
  • Playful Learning
  • Challenging Behaviors in Early Childhood Settings
  • Children's Literacy
  • Kindergarten Readiness

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 and a Certificate in Early Education Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education.  Eileen has completed extensive continuing education in child development, early childhood education, inclusion of children with disabilities and non-profit management through the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Brazelton Touchpoints Center, 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. She served on the Advisory Board of the Fairfield University Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions from 2010-2013. In February 2010, Eileen was appointed to the Connecticut Early Childhood Education Cabinet serving until 2021.  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.

The Infant Team:

  • Rondretta, has worked at CCDC since 2005. Rondretta earned a Child Development Associate Credential, specializing in infants and toddlers.
  • Claudia, hired in 2022 earned a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and twenty years of experience with infants and young children prior to joining CCDC.
  • Dana began was hired in 2022 earned a Bachelor's Degree and twenty years of experience with infants and young children.
  • Jaline, hired in 2022,earned a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies, Early Childhood.

The Young Toddler Team:

  • Kelly  was hired in 2013 and holds a Bachelor's in Human Development and Family Relations. She joined CCDC after fifteen years with another early care and education program.
  • Cathy was hired in 2020. Associate's Degree and twenty-five years of experience with young children, prior to joining CCDC.

  • Emily was hired in 2017.  Emily is completing a CDA and and is completing requirements for an Associate's Degree

  • Betsy was hired in 2019, earned a Bachelor's Degree and is a doula.

  • The Older Toddler Team:

  • Jackie holds a Master's Degree in Elementary Education and has worked at CCDC full time since 2007 and has multiple years of experience working with infants, toddlers and preschoolers.
  • Alicia was hired in 2019, holds an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education
  • Isabella was hired in 2021 and earned his Bachelor's in Human Development and Family Sciences with a concentration in Early Childhood. She also completed Field Work and Student Teaching at CCDC while completing her degree.
  • Caitlin was hired in 2021 and earned his Bachelor's in Human Development and Family Sciences with a concentration in Early Childhood. She also completed Field Work and Student Teaching at CCDC while completing her degree.
  • Grace, was hired in 2021. She is taking classes to complete her Associate's degree
  • Yessica, was hired in 2021. She holds an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts and is completing requirements for her Bachelor's Degree.

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.

  • Cinthya, a Master Teacher began working full time at CCDC in 2018. Cinthya earned her Bachelor's in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood from UConn. She also worked part time at CCDC and completed Field Work and Student Teaching at CCDC while earning her degree.

  • Kendall, was hired in 2020 earned his Bachelor's in Human Development and Family Sciences with a concentration in Early Childhood. She also completed Field Work and Student Teaching at CCDC while earning her degree.

  • Monica was hired in 2022 and earned his Bachelor's in Human Development and Family Sciences with a concentration in Early Childhood. She also completed Field Work and Student Teaching at CCDC while completing her degree.

  • The Preschool Four's Team:
  • Christine, was hired in 2012 and earned and Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood.
  • Joshua, was hired in 2020, has and Associate's Degree and six years of experience with children prior to joining CCDC.
  • Lili was hired in 2021 and has an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education.
  • Nicole was hired in 2021 and has both Associate's and Bachelor's degrees in Early Childhood Education with five years experience prior to joining CCDC.