Early Childhood Education at Easton Country Day School

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to Easton Country Day School. My name is Shauna Kerfien, and in 2007, I purchased Easton Country Day School, where I serve as the owner and director. Our school has a rich history dating back to 1967, and for over 50 years, numerous families have embraced our preschool programs. It's heartwarming to see many grandparents who once attended our school now bringing their grandchildren here as well.

With over 20 years of experience in the field of childcare, I possess comprehensive knowledge across various programs. I hold Director II and Lead Teacher certifications in Massachusetts and earned my degree in early childhood education from Bridgewater State College. Continuous professional development is a priority for me and my team of early childhood teachers. We regularly attend workshops and conferences to enhance our understanding of childcare development. In fact, it is mandatory for every staff member to complete 25 hours of professional development training each year, which includes topics such as Understanding Growth and Development of Children, Guiding and Interacting with Children and Youth, and Partnering with Families and Communities. We also ensure that our staff is trained annually in infant and child CPR, first aid, and EpiPen use.

At Easton Country Day School, we take pride in our dedicated group of early childhood teachers, who have been carefully selected for their skills and compassionate approach in guiding children. Our staff is committed to fostering the personal development of each child by offering educational programs that promote social, intellectual, and emotional growth, assisting your child in reaching their full potential.

We understand that leaving your child at school can be challenging. However, we encourage you to view Easton Country Day School as a second home for your children. Our nurturing environment ensures your child's health and wellbeing while providing a positive and creative learning experience. We invite you to meet our staff and witness firsthand the high quality of care and preschool programs we offer. Join our Easton Country Day School family today.

What is my teaching philosophy?

My educational philosophy is shaped by several ideologies. I firmly believe that children develop at their own unique pace, much like how they don’t all walk and talk at the same exact age. As such, we understand that our preschoolers will not master skills on the same timeline. Numerous factors influence development, as each family provides varied types of stimulation and guidance. When children enter our program, my goal is to assess their development holistically and tailor our curriculum to meet their individual needs. Research and personal experience indicate that young children learn differently from school-age children—they thrive through hands-on exploration. Rote memorization is less effective compared to real experiences and concrete learning. I see teachers and parents as facilitators in an enriched and inviting environment that allows children to explore their interests and engage in new activities with confidence and curiosity. This individualized approach may present challenges, but both research and the progress I observe over the school year affirm the benefits of this type of learning.

As I have often noted, social interaction plays a significant role in cognitive development for young children. My experience at ECDS has confirmed this, as our school provides opportunities for children to develop their skills, which is truly amazing to witness.

Mrs. Burns has been teaching at Easton Country Day School (ECDS) since 1999 and possesses a tremendous gift for working with young children. She is certified in Massachusetts to work with toddlers and preschool children, leading our preschool programs, including Prekindergarten and nursery classes. Mrs. Burns was carefully selected for her extensive experience as an early childhood teacher and her nurturing attitude towards guiding children and creating a wholesome atmosphere for their development at ECDS. Joyce attended UMASS Boston and, prior to joining Easton Country Day School, she spent 15 years as an executive assistant at an insurance firm. After taking a break to raise her two children, Lyndsey and Kyle—both graduates of Easton Country Day—she fulfilled the course requirements of the Department of Early Childhood Education and Care and became a certified preschool teacher. To enhance her skills, she continues to pursue professional development as an early childhood teacher, maintaining her certification by completing various trainings and workshops. This year, she completed professional development sessions on essential topics such as Understanding Growth and Development of Children, Guiding and Interacting with Youth, and Health, Safety & Nutrition. Additionally, she is trained annually in infant and child CPR, first aid, and epi pen use. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending quality time with family and friends. 

"I enjoy watching the children grow and change, challenging them to be independent thinkers, and the hugs and smiles are great too." 

What advice can you give a parent looking for preschool placement? 

If you are searching for preschool programs that offer a warm, nurturing environment paired with an exceptional curriculum, look no further than Easton Country Day School. From the very first visit with my son, I knew this was the right place; the children were happy and engaged, the staff was welcoming and professional, and my son felt comfortable and eager to join in. Two years later, my daughter was enrolled, and during that time, I began substituting before becoming a staff member. I love coming to work each day and am proud to contribute to the strong, happy, and loving educational experiences of the children at ECDS. Each child brings a unique personality and background, and I am confident that the entire staff at Easton Country Day School prioritizes every child’s individual needs. We strive to create an inviting atmosphere where each child feels safe, happy, and welcomed. By offering a variety of opportunities to develop emotionally and intellectually, we encourage each child to grow at their own pace. ECDS students experience a sense of comfort and belonging from their very first day in class. Moreover, our students develop healthy relationships with their peers, fostering the ability to continue existing friendships while also building new ones. We are dedicated to nurturing the social and emotional skills essential for every child's growth and flourishing during their elementary school years. My lasting first impression of ECDS was its warm, inviting atmosphere, perfectly suited for children to develop and grow. I love witnessing the children explore their classrooms and interact with one another and their teachers, and I am thrilled to be part of the ECDS family.

Ms. Marisa has been teaching for over 15 years, focusing on children aged 2.9 to 6 years. Before joining the Easton Country Day School, she taught at St. Agatha’s School. As a certified teacher in Massachusetts, she specializes in working with preschool programs and serves as a team teacher in our Prekindergarten class while leading our nursery class.

In her spare time, Marisa enjoys spending quality time with her family. As a mother of two, Jamie (7) and Ben (5), she loves attending their sporting events and exploring the outdoors. Teaching brings her immense joy, and she values the opportunity to learn from children as they navigate their world. Listening to their stories and witnessing their growth into independent thinkers is a fulfilling part of her role. Marisa continually enhances her professional development as an early childhood teacher by maintaining her certification through various training and workshops. This year, she has completed professional development in areas such as Understanding Growth and Development of Children, Guiding and Interacting with Children and Youth, Partnering with Families and Communities, Observation and Assessment, Learning Environments and Curriculum Implementation, Program Planning and Development, Health, Safety, and Nutrition, as well as Professionalism and Leadership. Additionally, Marisa undergoes annual training in infant and child CPR, first aid, and epi pen use.

What do you find exciting about working with children at ECDS? I have worked in many childcare settings and found that schools like Easton Country Day School, which focus on age-appropriate preschool programs, provide the most beneficial environment for young children. Their social and emotional development thrives in a smaller setting, allowing each teacher to truly understand the unique needs of every child.

The wonder and excitement that children possess amuse me, which is why I chose to work in a field that enables regular interaction with them. As an early childhood teacher, my goal is to create a stimulating environment that guides children to discover new information, skills, and concepts. Offering a variety of learning experiences encourages a positive self-image and allows children to find joy in the learning process while respecting their individuality, creativity, and intelligence. Witnessing young children’s enthusiasm for learning and seeing them develop new skills helps me appreciate the small wonders of life through their eyes. Working with children has always been a dream of mine, and I am grateful to have a role that allows me to profoundly influence their lives every day. I am excited to be part of the Easton Country Day School family and look forward to creating many positive memories together.

Ms. Lyla has been involved in childcare for 5 years, working with children aged 2.9 to 7 years. Before joining Easton Country Day School, she was part of the afterschool program at Blanche Ames Elementary School. At Easton Country Day School, she enhances our afterschool program by making it fun and engaging through arts and crafts and exciting science experiments that align with the skills being learned that week. As a certified educator in Massachusetts, she is qualified to work with preschool children through the Early Education and Care (EEC) standards. She earned her early education degree from Massasoit Community College. In her spare time, she enjoys creating art with various mediums, exploring the great outdoors, and spending time at the beach with her puppy, Romeo. Growing up in Easton has fostered her love for this community. 

What do you find exciting about working with children at ECDS? 

I am thrilled by the wonder and excitement that children bring, which is why I chose to work in a field that allows me to regularly interact with them. My aim as one of the early childhood teachers at Easton Country Day School is to create a stimulating environment that helps guide children in discovering new information, skills, and concepts, while offering a variety of preschool programs that encourage a positive self-image.

Patt has been teaching at Easton Country Day School (ECDS) since 2023. She was carefully selected for her experience as an early childhood teacher, as well as her nurturing attitude in caring for and guiding young children in a wholesome atmosphere conducive to their development. 

In her spare time, Patt enjoys crocheting, crafting, walking, and spending quality time with her friends and family. She is committed to her professional development as a preschool teacher and maintains her certification by completing ongoing training and workshops. This year, she has focused on several key areas including: Understanding Growth and Development of Children, Guiding and Interacting with Children and Youth, Partnering with Families and Communities, Observation, Assessment & Planning for Individual Needs, Learning Environments & Implementing Curriculum, Program Planning & Development, Health, Safety & Nutrition, and Professionalism & Leadership. Additionally, she undergoes annual training in infant and child CPR, first aid, and EpiPen use.

"I feel fortunate to have worked with children from 3 to 5 years old. There are such amazing milestones reached along every step of their journey. I have learned and continue to learn so much from each child that I have had the pleasure of teaching." 

Why should parents choose Easton Country Day School for their children?

Each child arrives at ECDS with a unique personality and background. I firmly believe that the staff of ECDS prioritizes each child’s individual needs. We strive to create an inviting atmosphere where every child feels safe, happy, and welcome. Our preschool programs encourage children to grow and develop at their own pace, offering a variety of opportunities to participate and experiment with new skills, both emotionally and intellectually. From their first day at ECDS, our students cultivate a sense of comfort and belonging. Furthermore, they develop healthy relationships with their peers and learn the skills necessary to sustain those connections while forging new ones. We aim to promote the social and emotional skills essential for every child as a foundation for their growth during elementary school years. First impressions are lasting ones, and my first impression of ECDS was that it was a warm, inviting place for children to develop and grow. I genuinely enjoy watching the children explore their classrooms while interacting with each other and their teachers. I am proud to be part of the ECDS family.