TV SHOW GUEST. 10.15.2013. DAY CARE, PRESCHOOL, HOME CARE: WHAT IS BEST? Candy Daffern
Born into a large family in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania at the time steel mills were closing, some could say Candy Daffern has been involved in early education for the vulnerable and “at risk” from her very start. Upon her graduation from Pennsylvania State University (BSc Human Development and Family Studies, Infant and Early childhood Specialist, Teacher Status), she left the United States to teach abroad in England. She was acknowledged as an excellent teacher by the Office of Standards in Education (Ofsted) and was subsequently promoted to lead teacher before becoming an Educational Advisor for county of West Sussex, England. There her role was to raise the quality of provision and practice in the Early Years sector, supporting over 100 Elementary Schools and twice as many preschools. In 2005, following the introduction of Sure Start Children’s Centres—England’s interpretation of the Head Start program, she went on to become Principal of Chichester Nursery School, Children and Family Centre. Under her leadership the Centre received national notoriety following five consecutive successful Ofsted inspections, an accolade achieved by fewer than one percent of all schools in the country. Candy has spoken about the benefits of integrated family support and early education at England’s National Union of Teacher’s conference and has worked in collaboration with the Innovation Unit of England’s Department of Education.
Now back in the USA, Candy is the Head Start Director of the Monticello Area Community Action Agency (MACAA), a program that serves 213 children in the City of Charlottesville and surrounding counties of Albemarle, Nelson, Fluvanna, and Louisa.