Colleen Intardonato
Ms. Colleen has been part of the Setauket Parents Playschool community since 1985 and has served as Director since 2005. She works alongside the teaching staff in the classroom, where the teachers collaborate to guide and support children in a mixed-age learning environment.
Ms. Colleen began at Setauket Parents Playschool as an assistant and, during her second year, created the school’s toddler program. She led the toddler class for ten years before later transitioning to work with the broader preschool program as the structure of the school evolved.
Ms. Colleen considers working with preschool children a true labor of love and feels fortunate to have spent nearly four decades in early childhood education. She has lived in the Three Village area since 1980 and is married with three grown children: Jason, Lisa, and Rita. Lisa and Rita both attended Setauket Parents Playschool. Her grandchildren, Zoe and Cooper, also attended Setauket Parents Playschool and are now both in college and occasionally return to assist at the school and help with the summer camp program.
Over the years, many of Ms. Colleen’s former students have returned to Setauket Parents Playschool with their own children, a testament to the lasting relationships and strong sense of community that the school has fostered for generations of families.
Eliza Vasiliades
Ms. Eliza is excited to be part of the Setauket Parents Playschool team. With over eight years of experience in education, she is dedicated to creating a nurturing, play-based environment where children feel supported as they learn and grow.
She holds a Master’s degree in Science Education and enjoys encouraging young learners to explore the natural world while developing strong social-emotional skills. Ms. Eliza believes that early childhood is a special time for curiosity, creativity, and building confidence through play.
Outside the classroom, she enjoys coaching beach volleyball, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. She looks forward to many wonderful years at Setauket Parents Playschool.
Keeyoung Baird
Ms. Keeyoung is an alumni parent whose two daughters attended Setauket Parents Playschool. She joined the staff in 2017 as a teaching assistant and brings her experience as a former SPPS parent to her work with the children and families in the program. Her daughters, Olivia and Sophia, both attended SPPS and are now students at Ward Melville High School.
In the classroom, Ms. Keeyoung works closely with the teachers and children, helping to reinforce early learning through activities that build fundamental skills such as letters, numbers, and other basic academic concepts. She is a valued member of the teaching team and supports children as they learn, play, and develop confidence in the classroom.
Ms. Keeyoung also assists with the Setauket Parents Playschool Summer Camp program, where she continues to help create a warm, engaging environment for the children throughout the summer months.
Cathy Candreva
Ms. Cathy joined the Setauket Parents Playschool staff in 2020 as a teaching assistant. She is an alumni parent whose daughter, Carleigh, attended Setauket Parents Playschool and is now in college.
Ms. Cathy brings warmth, patience, and enthusiasm to the classroom. She works closely with the children during playtime, helping them develop positive social skills by guiding them as they learn to share, communicate, and work through the everyday challenges that arise during play. Her supportive approach helps children build confidence while learning how to cooperate and interact with others.