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Welcome to the 

2's PROGRAM

2 & 3 DAY PROGRAMS FOR 2 YEAR OLDS

Our morning programs run
Monday through Friday
8:45 - 11:30

Our afternoon programs run
Monday through Friday
12:00 -2:45


 

The twos classrooms are places where children develop a love of learning and become confident in the context of separation and individuation. It provides a safe, stimulating and loving environment that allows children to develop a sense of self and autonomy. We work on independence, including self-help and self-care skills, in a gentle classroom setting. 

In the twos children are prepared with core foundational skills that they take with them as they progress through school. These foundational skills include core social, play and self-regulatory skills. For example, children learn to become confident in the context of separation from their primary caregiver(s), begin to play cooperatively and symbolically, learn how to resolve conflict in a prosocial manner, and form a sense of community and belongingness in their small group. 

The Red Room integrates routines that help children feel safe and secure as well as a sense of mastery over their environment. Children are able to actively explore their classroom environment with a variety of materials including clay, paint, play dough, sand and water.

Meet the 

2's TEACHERS

Leigh Becker
HEAD TEACHER, TWOS CLASS
RED ROOM AM & PM

2’s

Leigh has been an educator for over 25 years. With her background in Early Childhood Education and Counseling, she is well versed in behavior management, conflict resolution and helping children foster socialization skills. Leigh has taught from preschool through the University level and spends her summers working with children of all ages at day camp. She thoroughly enjoys working with two-year olds and works diligently to help all of the children in her classes celebrate their discoveries and achievements.

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Maria Denti
ASSISTANT  TEACHER, TWOS CLASS
RED ROOM AM & PM

2’s

Maria came to CCNS in 2019. Maria has been working in the early childhood field for over 25 years and holds an Associates degree in Early Childhood Education. She has worked with children of many different ages, from birth to four years of age. Her outside interests include teaching religious education and assisting with bible camp at her parish in Tuckahoe.

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Loriann Mastriacovo
ASSISTANT TEACHER, TWOS CLASS
RED ROOM AM

2’s

Loriann Mastriacovo has been in the early childhood field for about 19 years. During some of that time she was given the opportunity to work with young children with special needs. Loriann has obtained an associate’s degree majoring in early childhood, and a bachelor’s degree majoring in psychology. She believes children should be empowered through being proud of themselves. Loriann also believes children should be encouraged to lead their own learning through a variety of open-ended activities, leaving room for full freedom of expression.

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Michelle Nickels
HEAD  TEACHER, TWOS CLASS
YELLOW ROOM AM

2’s

Michelle has been working within the nursery school setting since 2001 and at CCNS since 2016. She graduated from Concordia College with a BS in Early Childhood Education. Michelle recently completed her Early Childhood Master of Education from American College. It has been a dream of hers to be a teacher ever since she was a child. She loves to work in CCNS’s nurturing, loving environment where children can learn and experience new challenges that will help build their confidence while they play.

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Erica Kinstel
ASSISTANT TEACHER, TWOS CLASS
YELLOW ROOM AM

2’s

Erica is excited to join the CCNS team! She recently had the opportunity to work as a leave replacement teacher aide at Osborn for grades 1-3 this past school year, and she worked at the Rye Recreation Kiddy Camp as a head counselor with children ages 3-5. Erica feels she has finally found her calling and is ready to put her best foot forward to help the young students do their best and enjoy their early educational experiences.

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Jamie Depauw
ASSISTANT  TEACHER, TWOS CLASS
YELLOW ROOM AM

2’s

Jamie is a lifelong resident of Rye who has worked in early childhood education for the past 5 years. Although she has a degree in pharmacology, Jamie has focused on her true passion, working with children. Jamie loves spending time with young children guiding and nurturing them to learn and grow. In her spare time Jamie likes spending time with her family and their dogs

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Play is really the work of childhood...

— FRED ROGERS

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