Meet Our Team!

Clarence Center Preschool, Inc., which is located in the suburbs of Buffalo, New York, is our family owned and operated childcare. The building at 5990 Goodrich Road has been in the Van Kuren family for over 54 years!  

We have 5 children of our own and 10 grandchildren, who we love very much and have raised around our center. Being a part of the community is very important to us and we participate as members of the Clarence Chamber of Commerce, Meet In The Center Association and Child Care Resource Network. We feel so lucky to have celebrated 32 years of business in 2024 and are looking forward to the next 32! 

We understand that choosing a quality child care provider is a very important decision for your family and we hope that you will consider our center for your child care needs and become a part of our ever-growing CC Preschool family!

- Jean and Dale Van Kuren

Jean + Dale, Bailey + Sadie

Titles: Owners & Director/Mister-Fix-It/Mascot

Jean's Favorite Book: The Swan Song

Best Vacation Spot: Our cottage at the French River in Ontario

3 Things You Can't Live Without: Family, Dancing, Laughter

Favorite Part of the School Year: Graduation day; seeing how much the children have grown!

What Inspires You? Surrounding myself with positive and fun people.

Andrea

Title: Director of Curriculum/UPK Head Teacher

Education: Bachelors in Early Childhood & Childhood Education; Masters in Curriculum & Instruction

Favorite Book: Harry Potter and Hunger Games

Best Vacation Spot: Disney, of course!

3 Things You Can't Live Without: Family, Pictures, Food

Favorite Part of the School Year: I love national book week and Christmas time.

What Inspires You? A lot of things inspire me, but my family inspires me the most.

Leann

Title: Assistant UPK + Head School Age Teacher

Education: Preschool Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential

Favorite Book: Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes

Best Vacation Spot: Disney

3 Things You Can't Live Without: Family, Friends,Fun

Favorite Part of the School Year: Christmastime when we put on a huge performance for our families!

What Inspires You: My two beautiful children

Lisa

Title: Head Teacher for Young Toddler’s

Favorite Book: The Froggy Series

Best Vacation Spot: Smuggler's Notch, VT

3 Things You Can't Live Without: My Children, Tea, Music

Favorite Part of the School Year: Christmas

What Inspires You? Seeing my children do what they love and giving 100% in all that they do.

Laura

Title: AM UPK Aide

Favorite Book: Where the Crawdads Sing

Best Vacation Spot: Costa Rica

3 Things You Can't Live Without: Laughter, Love, Friendships

Favorite Part of the School Year: Autumn: apples, pumpkins, Halloween. I love seeing the kids in their costumes!

What Inspires You? My son, Nikolaus, and my daughter, Haley.