- +1 860-233-8037
- info@olfdaycare.com
- Mon - Fri: 7:15 AM - 5:15 PM
The quality of the teaching and childcare staff is extremely important to the quality of the program. The OLF Day Care strives to maintain qualified staff by providing a variety of in-service training and other professional development opportunities.
Some staff is bilingual and this ensures integration of the native language with an introduction of English to prepare children for success in an English-speaking society.
All staff members must meet or exceed Connecticut State Licensing requirements in education and experience. All lead classroom teachers have a minimum of an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree and college courses and credits in Early Childhood Education. They also demonstrated competence in working with young children.
Staff members are strongly encouraged to further their education in early childhood education. They must complete a minimum of 18 hours of training each year in early childhood education and child development, licensing regulations, health issues, nutrition, first aid, social services and child abuse laws.
All employees are required to have a clear criminal record, a TB test or a chest x-ray and a physical stating that they are free from communicable disease and physical able to work with young children. All staff working with children are required to have training in first aid, CPR, management of common childhood illnesses and child abuse prevention.
Since 2015, Susan Rosa has held the position of Director at Our Lady of Fatima Childcare Center.
During her studies in elementary education at Central Connecticut State University, Susan engaged in various teaching roles. She served as a Portuguese school teacher, a teacher assistant for students with special needs through the West Hartford Board of Education, and a tutor for students requiring additional support. Subsequently, Susan obtained her degree in Early Childhood Education and has since led children directly in the classroom as Head Teacher. In her current role as Director, Susan is responsible for the daily administration of the school, ensuring a safe and enriching learning environment for young children, their families, and staff. She oversees staff management and collaborates with teachers to develop and implement curriculum. Fluent in both Portuguese and English, Susan contributes effectively to the school’s operations.
Marli Correia, a native of Azores, Portugal, relocated to the United States in 2005.
Since 2016, Marli has held the position of Secretary at OLF. Fluent in both Portuguese and English, her responsibilities include organizing, filing, maintaining up-to-date records, preparing reports, answering inquiries, and performing bookkeeping duties. Marli commenced her tenure at OLF in 2006 as a Teacher Assistant in the preschool classrooms. Subsequently, she pursued further education, obtaining her CDA and enrolling in various courses at Charter Oak State College. In her personal time, Marli cherishes spending quality time with her family. She enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, and beach visits, as well as musical pursuits, culinary arts, and pickleball.
Michael Pereira holds the position of Head Teacher and Pedagogical Director at Our Lady of Fatima Childcare Center. He has been a member of the organization since 2016. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Charter Oak State College. Prior to this, he earned an associate’s degree in broadcast communication. Michael has over 12 years of experience coaching youth basketball in both town and travel leagues. He has also been coaching travel soccer for the past two years. In his role as Head Teacher and Pedagogical Director, Michael is responsible for ensuring that all children are actively engaged in learning and fostering a positive and healthy learning environment. He also collaborates with staff to develop and implement the curriculum.
Originally from Italy, Maria Rondinelli has been a Connecticut resident for over thirty years. After marrying at a young age, she relocated to the U.S. with her husband, where they raised three wonderful daughters (ages 26, 21, and 16), alongside their beloved dog Ambrogio and cat Micina. Maria dedicated herself to being a full-time mother while also providing babysitting services. Two years ago, she embarked on a new professional path as an Assistant Teacher at Our Lady of Fatima Daycare. Due to staffing needs, Maria often takes on the role of lead teacher, a responsibility she finds deeply rewarding and inspiring. This experience reignited her passion for education and motivated her to pursue a degree to further her knowledge and skills. Balancing a full-time career, academic studies, and family life has been a challenging yet fulfilling journey. Studying in English and online while managing her responsibilities has proven to be overwhelming at times, but Maria remains committed to her goals, finding value in every step of her progress. In her personal life, Maria enjoys cooking traditional Italian dishes such as fresh pasta, pizza, and desserts. She also has a passion for gardening, loves spending time at the beach, and looks forward to exploring new destinations beyond Italy. Maria’s dedication to her family, career, and education exemplifies her unwavering commitment to growth and learning.
Emilia Goncalves, a native of Portugal, has dedicated over five decades of her professional life to OLF. She holds a CDA and has pursued further education at Charter Oak State College. Outside of work, she enjoys reading and spending time with her loved ones, including her two daughters and five grandchildren.
My name is Victoria Pereira, I am a dedicated Toddler Room Head Teacher with five years of experience in early childhood education, I am passionate about creating a nurturing and stimulating environment for young learners. Holding an associate degree in Social Services, I focus on fostering toddlers’ social, emotional, and cognitive development through play-based learning and structured activities. I am committed to providing a safe and supportive space where children can explore, grow, and build essential skills.
My name is Kristine and I have two daughters. There is also a 2 year old dog (Tiny) in my family. I’ve been teaching in the educational field for over 20 years. I earned my Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education From Manchester Community college. I am making attempts to finish my dual bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. I like to travel and read as well. I have traveled out of the U.S. A, three times.
My name is Elsa Espirito Santo, I’ve been an early childhood teacher since 2010. I earned my Associate’s degree in child studies at Charter Oak State College and I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Early childhood also at charter Oak state college. I am married and have two children, a daughter and a son. I love spending time with my family, watching movies and sports. I also like traveling and cycling.
My name is Delminda Silva, I am a dedicated early childhood educator with a Child Development Associate certification (CDA) and over 45 years of experience in the early childhood field. I am passionate about fostering a nurturing and engaging learning environment. I work to support the developmental needs of young children while encouraging their social, emotional, and cognitive growth. I enjoy spending time with my family.
Angela Moreira is a highly experienced educator with over 30 years of service in early childhood, primary, secondary, and higher education. Originally from Cape Verde, her professional journey reflects a lifelong commitment to learning, child development, and community service.
She holds a degree in Education, a Bachelor’s in Psychology, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Global Management. Angela began her teaching career in Cape Verde, where she worked across all educational levels — from preschool to university.
Her leadership roles included Principal of both Elementary and High School, Vice Principal for Social and Community Affairs at a public high school, and Director of the Madre Teresa of Calcutta Student Residence in the capital city, where she oversaw the wellbeing and academic support of young students living away from home.
Her background in psychology informs a holistic view of child development, with a strong focus on emotional, cognitive, and social growth. Angela also worked closely with children in vulnerable situations, and completed professional internships in behavioral evaluation and support for individuals struggling with addiction.
Since relocating to the United States in 2016, Angela has expanded her care experience by earning certifications as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Personal Care Assistant (PCA). She provided in-home care for elderly clients and worked with private agencies — not only offering direct care but also supporting administrative tasks such as scheduling, file organization, and basic accounting.
Angela is fluent in Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole, communicates well in English, and has a working knowledge of Spanish. Her ability to connect across languages and cultures helps her foster a warm and inclusive atmosphere for children and families from diverse backgrounds.
At Daycare Nossa Senhora de Fátima, Angela combines deep professional knowledge with genuine compassion. She helps create a safe, structured, and loving environment where each child is nurtured, respected, and encouraged to grow.
For Angela, caring for children is more than a profession — it’s a purpose. Here, every child is seen, valued, and supported, every single day.
Belmira, a native of Portugal, arrived in the United States in 1993. Since 1997, she has been employed as a cook at Our Lady Of Fátima Child Care Center. Belmira is married and has two daughters and four grandchildren. She enjoys traveling to Portugal and visiting her mother in her hometown of Vale de Cambra.
Our Family Handbook has all the important details about our programs, policies, and how we partner with families for your child’s success.
