Dr. Patrice Farquharson Executive Director

Hello WHCDC families, my name is Dr. Patrice Farquharson, and I am the Executive Director of the West Haven Child Development Center. This year marks my 49th year as part of the WHCDC family, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent so many years dedicated to the children and families of our community.

I hold a Doctorate of Education in Child Studies from Nova Southeastern University, a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Southern Connecticut State University, and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education. I also hold an Administrative and Supervisory (092) Certificate and a Connecticut teaching certification for Pre-K through 6th grade.

In addition to my work at WHCDC, I taught for 30 years at Post University in the Child Studies program and also taught Psychology of Play at Charter Oak State College for 25 years. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to present and collaborate nationally on topics including early childhood leadership, social-emotional development, health, nutrition, and supporting young children and families.

One of the things I value most about my work is the opportunity to bring research, innovation, and collaboration into our everyday work with children. WHCDC has been fortunate to participate in and receive recognition for a number of innovative health, education, and early childhood initiatives, including work recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with the White House’s Let’s Move! initiative and by the American Academy of Pediatrics as a Promising Practice.

I am also deeply committed to the West Haven community. As a lifelong resident of West Haven, I am proud to be part of a community that cares so deeply about its children and families. I believe every child deserves a high-quality, research-based early childhood experience that helps them feel safe, valued, confident, and ready to learn.

Outside of my professional work, I am grateful for the many relationships and connections that WHCDC has given me throughout the years. After five decades at the Center, WHCDC truly feels like an extension of my family, and I am honored to continue working alongside our incredible teachers, staff, children, and families.

I look forward to continuing to grow, learn, and build an even stronger future for WHCDC and for the children and families we are so fortunate to serve.

Kristina Santos, BS, MSOEL Program Manager

Kristina Santos is the Program Manager at the West Haven Child Development Center since 2007.  She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, with a concentration on Early Childhood Education and an Early Childhood Education Administration Certificate from Post University. She has a Master of Science Degree in Organizational Effectiveness and Leadership from Charter Oak State College. She was an Assistant Teacher before joining our staff.

Lisa Baglini-Gurr, BA Education Coordinator

Lisa Baglini-Gurr is the Education Coordinator at the West Haven Child Development Center. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Southern Connecticut State University in Psychology and her integrated Early Childhood/ Special Education, Birth-Kindergarten Certification from Charter Oak State College. She also completed course work for her directors credential. Lisa has been at the Center since 2001- first she worked part-time in the infant/toddler program, then full time in the infant/toddler and pre-school programs. She has also completed fieldwork in a Kindergarten classroom. In her free time, Lisa enjoys coaching high school cheerleading with her mother.