New director of day care center is from Millerton

SHARON — Carrie Olsen is the new director of the Sharon Day Care Center, replacing Roz Goldfarb, who retired at the end of the last school year. Olsen’s first day at the center was July 27.

She grew up in Millerton  and attended Webutuck High School before getting an associate’s degree in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education from Dutchess Community College. She also received her head teacher certificate from the state of Connecticut.

 Immediately after college, she began working at the Sharon Day Care as the head teacher, serving in that position until 2002.

In 2006, she accepted a position at the Falls Village Day Care Center as the assistant director and preschool lead teacher.

In 2015, when Olsen learned of the position in Sharon, she was torn about whether or not to apply.  She was enjoying her time at the Falls Village Day Care and also had a short commute, having purchased a house there with her husband. She decided to just go for the interview and see what happened.

As soon as she walked into the center, she immediately felt comfortable, as if she was back home. Olsen was also attracted to the professionalism of the center and to the high  standard that it holds itself, too, and knew that if they offered her the position, it would be a good fit.

In her new role, Olsen is looking to boost preschool enrollment by spreading the word to other towns besides just Sharon. 

She is also looking at expanding and incorporating an infant/toddler program either at the center or through partnering with another day care center in the area. Community involvement is another area in which Olsen is looking to make improvements. She wants, for example, to create programs with local businesses. She is already in the planning stages of a field trip to the post office, so the students can see up close how one works.

For more information on the Sharon Day Care Center go to www.sharondaycare.org or call 860-364-5182.