Early Care & Education in Napa Valley since 1993

Mr. Ray was raised in a small town in Connecticut and moved to California in 1976 after getting his BS degree from the University of Connecticut. While at UConn Ray took a class in Children's Literature and got an "A" in the course.  He then became a Teaching Assistant in the class for the next year.  One of the highlights was meeting P.L. Travers, the woman who created the Mary Poppins books.  Ray and his wife Mary Welch own Children's Cottage Child Care which started in Napa in 1993.  Ray loves directing the center on East Avenue in the Alta Heights part of the city of Napa.  The children are always amazing and give back so much love.  Ray is a member of the Professional Association for Childhhood Education and the Napa Chamber of Commerce.  He has visited child care facilities in Italy, France, Greece, & Mexico and was a delegate to the World Forum on Early Care and Education in 2000.  Ray and Mary's 3 children were all raised at Children's Cottage and went through the Napa public school system.  One of Ray's favorite quotaions about education if from Albert Einstein - "It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge."

 

Miss Yasmin is the director of the infant program at Children's Cottage.  She speaks fluent Spanish and English, and knows sign language as well. Yasmin has a lot of energy and keeps the school running very well. She is very artistic and loves decorating the facility. We are very happy to have this wonderful teacher at our school.

 

 

Miss Susana is a patient and understanding teacher of some of our youngest children, the Caterpillars. She completed a Licentiate in Pre-School Education and two years towards a Master in Pedagogy in Mexico. This is equivalent to 2 years of post-baccalaureate education in the same field completed at a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.  She speaks Spanish and English and loves to paint and decorate.

 

  

Miss Ruann is the Butterlies teacher for children in our pre-kindergarten class. She has a BS degree and is Montessori trained. Her emphasis is getting them academically and socially ready for elementary school. Her favorite book as a child was Green Eggs and Ham. Ruann's favorite thing about teaching at Children's Cottage is watching the kids eyes light up when they have accomplished something new.

 

Miss Pilar is the Honeybees teacher and has a BS degree in Early Childhood Education from Mexico with updated courses from Sonoma State. She is still taking classes at Napa Valley College to keep updated on the latest information available on child development. Being the mother of her own 4 children has helped her empathize with both parents and children. She likes to be a respectful role model for the children and offer them age appropriate learning and playful experiences to improve their developmental skills. She tries to be flexible, adaptable, and willing to change the class routine if the children demand or need something new to keep their experiences fresh. Miss Pilar hopes that the parents find her a trustworthy friend and someone who loves and cares for their treasure.

  

Miss Lisa is the partner staff member to Miss Pilar with the Honeybees.  She is very excited about working with the babies.  She is also Miss Kendall's mother.  Lisa loves children of all ages and it shows.

 

 

 

Miss Kendall is the Dragonflies teacher and she specializes in getting her kids ready for kindergarten.  Her class will go on to our private Kindergarten on Solano Avenue in Napa or a public elementary school in town.  Kendall has been in a music family her whole life and she is available to teach children and parents piano and voice lessons.  She will soon be earning her AA in Psychology.  Kendall loves school and wants her students to love school too.  She encourages parent participation, appreciates diversity, and embraces all cultures.

 

 

Miss Susie is the Bumblebees teacher. She speaks Spanish and English and is consistent and gentle with the children in her care.  She is having a baby girl (she thinks) due May 10, 2010.  She will take time off for the birth from April 12 to June 21, 2010.

 

 

 

Miss Heather is the Ladybug co-teacher along with Miss Angelica.  Together they form a team that gently and consistently potty-trains all of the children in their class.

 

 

 

Miss Angelica is the co-teacher of the Ladybugs class along with Miss Heather.  She is bi-lingual and has a special love and respect for all of the children in her care.

 

 

 

    

Miss Christine is Miss Elena's aide at our private kindergarten on Solano Avenue in Napa.  She loves small animals and oftenn brings them to school to share with the children.  She is also very artistic and helps with the kindergarten art projects.