Lily Pond’s creative approach to learning – along with our state-of-the-art facility, innovative programs, creative curriculum, and exceptional staff – have provided countless children with a love of learning and a strong foundation that has benefitted them throughout their school years.
Lily Pond is owner-operated by Day Rosenberg and powered by an exceptional team of teachers and caregivers whose love for children and passion for education are unmatched.
Management Team
Jessica Bertollo, Director
Jessica has been working with children since 2002. She graduated from East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Special Education. She has been at Lily Pond since 2006, and prior to her Director role, she was an Assistant Teacher, Head Teacher, and Assistant Director. Jessica has two young children of her own, and her favorite thing in this world is to watch them grow. Jessica is immensely proud to be a part of the Lily Pond community, which provides the very best childcare and education to all its families.
Day Rosenberg, President and Owner
I come from a family of teachers; both of my parents dedicated their careers to teaching. I have worked in schools for over twenty-seven years, where I started as a full time teacher and worked to become a school principal. I attended Columbia University Teachers College for my Masters in School Leadership, and I received my Certification in Advanced Educational Leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
My wife, Lauren, has been teaching for twenty years; she has a Master’s in Teaching and Curriculum, and (I am very proud to brag) she was awarded the 2014 Teacher of the Year from the state of New Jersey.
Tara Sluyter, Operations Manager
Tara has been in education for 22 years. She has her Bachelor’s degree from Bryn Mawr College and her Masters and teaching certification from NYU. After teaching preschool at Brooklyn Friends School, Tara began working with children with special needs and went back to school to earn her BCBA. Tara has spent many years developing early intervention programs and positive behavior support programs, training and coaching teachers, parents, and therapists. As Operations Manager, Tara is excited to bring her experience to support the children, parents, and teachers.
Michelle Ranahan, Associate Operations Manager
Michelle has a Masters in Elementary Education from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA, and a BS in Business Administration from LeMoyne College. Michelle has been teaching since 2007, including fourth and fifth grade at Belmont Day School (Belmont, MA) and Far Hills Country Day School (Far Hills, NJ). Michelle enjoys spending time with her husband and children. In addition, she teaches at her church, likes baking, doing crafts, and being a Girl Scout Daisy Leader.
Faculty & Staff
One of the primary keys to a successful preschool centers around the school’s faculty.
The second critical component for the success of children in any school pivots on the stability of the faculty and teaching assistants. On average, our teachers have been with us for over ten years. In addition to an excellent background in early childhood education, our teachers are required to participate in a minimum of ten hours of training to keep them informed and involved in the educational requirements mandated by the Department of Education.
We invite any parent who is interested in identifying a preschool that totally centers on the children to come visit us to get a sense of our culture. We love what we do and are thankful for every child that joins the Lily Pond family.