Staff Bios

THE OWNERS

Pat DePan - Patricia DePan is the Owner and Administrative Director of Care-A-Lot. She founded Care-A-Lot, which was originally located at Rt. 5 and Beach Roads, in 1985. She designed and contracted construction of the current building built for the specific needs of young children in 1987. She has a BS in Child Psychology and Certification in Early Childhood Development. She is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and has attended national conventions of the NAEYC in Chicago, Washington, Toronto and New York City as well as most local conferences. Her business education was accomplished at Bryant and Stratton Business Institute. She has also completed the Red Cross Infant- Child CPR Course. Mrs. DePan has four children and five grandchildren. She lives in Angola with her husband of 37 years! In her spare time she can be found with her grandchildren doing art activities, singing and reading children's books

Mr. Bill - Bill DePan joined our staff as Assistant Administrative Director on June 1, 2002. He has a degree in Business Management from Empire State College, which he earned during his 20 years with Ford Motor Company. He retired from Ford to run our office full time. He successfully completed our recent Red Cross Infant/Child First Aid Course. Bill is Pat DePan's husband and father of four children and four grandchildren. He brings us not only his talents in the office, but a variety of handyman skills!! You will often find him on an errand with a young 'handyman assistant'. Welcome Mr. Bill!



Center Director

Miss Theresa -Theresa Baker is a Graduate of Niagara County Community College with an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor's Degree in Business Management. She has worked in various positions in the childcare field for ten years. Theresa lives in Derby with her dog, Savannah. She enjoys reading traveling and spending time with her family. Theresa volunteers for the National Kidney Foundation. Miss Theresa is also an avid NY Yankees fan!

Nursery

Miss Katie - Katie Bielecki has recently been awarded her Child Development Associate Credential in Preschool Education. She is a graduate of North Collins High School and has been a head teacher since 2004. Katie is trained in First Aid, CPR and NYS Medicine Administration. She has attended numerous trainings and workshops through Atollo, Success By Six and Educational Staffing Solutions. She currently resides in Angola with her husband Donovan, two children Dylan and Madalyn and their new puppy named Snoopy. Katie enjoys cooking, horseback riding and Friday Night Movies with her kids. Katie says that she enjoys teaching young children because there are so many rewards and she is always amazed at the things they can learn and the funny things they say.

Miss Laurie - Laurie Ruesch is affectionately referred to as 'mama bear'! She lives in Lakeview with her husband, Mark. She also has two grown daughters, and one grand-daughter- Kaylee- who has attended Care-A-Lot since she was an infant! In addition to all of these things, Miss Laurie is our Cook- or should I say 'chef'!! She loves to shop, to spend time with Kaylee, and traveling with her husband now that her own children are grown. She has two dogs, Nala and Rascal.

Toddlers

Miss Theresa -Theresa Baker is a Graduate of Niagara County Community College with an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor's Degree in Business Management. She has worked in various positions in the childcare field for ten years. Theresa lives in Derby with her dog, Savannah. She enjoys reading traveling and spending time with her family. Theresa volunteers for the National Kidney Foundation. Miss Theresa is also an avid NY Yankees fan!

Miss Val - Valerie Abbatoy recently graduated from Erie Community College with her associate's degree in Early Childhood Education. She will be attending SUNY Fredonia in the fall. Val is studying to become a classroom teacher. She is certified in First Aid, and Child and Adult CPR. Her hobbies include cheerleading, watching movies and boating with her friends. Val lives in Angola with her parents and her cat, Snickers!

Miss Amber- Amber Small is currently attending college majoring in physical Education. She enjoys volleyball, softball, and football. Amber has two brothers and a sister. She spends a lot of time with her sister's two boys, age five and two months. As if this doesn't keep her busy enough, Amber also has two ferrets named Kurk and Samson!

Preschool

Miss Claire-Claire Saunders is currently attending Erie Community College. She is enrolled in the Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) program as well. Claire has lots of experience with children and hopes to become an early childhood classroom teacher. Claire lives in Lakeview with her five older brothers, her parents, two dogs and two cats. Her hobbies include watching her three younger cousins and spending time at the beach.

Miss Jenna - Jenna Chudzik is an ECE major at Canisius College, transferring to SUNY Buffalo in the fall of 2009. She lives in Lakeview and has three brothers, and two nephews. She enjoys spending time with her family, her four dogs, and hanging out with friends at the mall and the beach. Jenna enjoys spending time with children helping them to be better prepared for the outside world.