... for the fine art of childcare

Debra Picasso

Owner and Founder

Debra Picasso has worked in the Early Childhood field for the past 28 years. She opened the doors of Picasso Preschool in September 1994 with the support and encouragement of many friends and family. She lives in Half Moon Bay with her husband Mike. They have three grown children, a son and two daughters, and two grandchildren. Working with young children has always been a passion of hers. She grew up in a very large family with four sisters and three brothers. Two years ago she retired from teaching at the preschool and is now a “Stay at home” grandma taking care of her two grandchildren, who will very soon be attending Picasso Preschool. She stays in contact with the school on a regular basis and handles the business side of it. She feels very fortunate that when she retired she was able to leave the school in the most experienced and capable hands of Candise and the rest of her staff. They are an awesome group of teachers who show so much love, respect and compassion for what they do.

Candise D'Acquisto has worked at Picasso since 2000. She has taught in all three classrooms and now ballances her time between Co-Teaching our three year old Tigger Program and Administrative duties. She has a degree in Early Childhood Education and holds a Site Supervisor permit from the CA Sate Teacher Commission. She has a daughter at Hatch Elementary and volunteers at community sporting events. She is very passioate for her love of working with children.

Karen Stene taught the Kindergarten program at Picasso for 10 years and is now a Teacher's assistant in all three classrooms. She enjoys teaching and helping in a small class size with lots of parent involvement. As a 25 year resident of El Granada, a mother of two sons in college, and a daughter in middle school, Karen feels lucky to be part of a community that enables her to do what she loves.

Shirley Frediani is the Pre-Kindergarten teacher in our age four Pooh Bears Program. She has worked at Picasso since 1995. In addition to being a Pre-K teacher, she is also a guitar instructor. She introduces music in her curriculum to enhance learning in a fun and creative way.

Vienna Klingele is our Transitional Kidergarten Teacher for our older four and five year olds. She is a mother to one to a Kindergarten student at Seacrest. She earned her BA in Child Development from San Jose State University in 2003 and is one step away from obtaining her Masters and Teaching Credential. She is excited to be in the classroom and is looking forward to furthering her education.

Ariana Vidrio has been working in the Childcare field for over fourteen years. Picasso Preschool is like her second home. She loves working with preschool ages and considers it to be an on-going learning experience. As a mother of twins who attend Farralone View Elementary, she feels very fortunate to live and work in our community.