Elaine McCarthy

Founder/ Lead Teacher

I began at the Children’s House Preschool as the Assistant Director in 1992, and became the Teaching Director in 1994. My educational background is a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Salem State College, Salem Massachusetts. I completed my degree in England where I taught kindergarten and studied the British Infant Methodology system.

I have been working with preschool directors once a month since 1994 for professional development and collaboration of early childhood techniques and resources. I have written grants each year since 1994 for the purpose of expanding the opportunity for all children to attend a quality early childhood program. I have completed my course work for a Master’s Degree in Multicultural Education at the University of Colorado. Teaching is an honor and a passion. In 2010 I was honored to be awarded “Educator of the Year” by the Boulder County branch of the National Association for Education of the Young Child (NAEYC).

Michael Knuckey Executive Director / Teacher

Michael Knuckey came to America from Australia in 1994 where he was completing Bachelors Degree in Hotel/Restaurant Business Management. He started working as a volunteer teacher in preschools in 1999, when his son, Alex, was 3 years old. Before starting at Children’s House, Michael had worked as a professional cook for 17 years and had been employed both teaching cooking, and as a private caterer.  He loves to paint, and has decorated many a child’s bedroom with murals. Michael has taken classes in art, sculpture, painting, psychology, children’s literature and Industrial Design.

Michael has been with Children’s House since 2005 and works in all aspects of the school. He lends his art expertise to the class in both the projects and the decoration of the room, he runs the office and administration side of the school as well as working with the children as a teacher. Michael is a qualified Early Childhood Director and Early Childhood Educator, he has Level Three credential as a Early Childhood Professional, an Associates in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelors in Educational Studies with a Minor in Early Childhood Education from Metropolitan University of Denver.

He is active in the Early Childhood community, serving as the Treasurer on the local chapter of the Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC) and on the volunteering on the early Childhood Advisory Councils for both Boulder Valley School District and the Front Range Community College Early Childhood Department.  In 2015 he was awarded “Educator of the Year” by the Boulder County branch of the National Association for Education of the Young Child (NAEYC).

Barli Teacher, emotional support, child protector, food cleaner

Barli joined the school in 2021 after being adopted by Michael and Elaine.  He loves to greet each family as they arrive, and makes sure that children have someone to hug.  He diligently cleans the floor after snack and lunchtime to ensure that we don’t have problems with ants.  He likes to join circle time and on field trips he watches over the children as if they are his personal flock.  As a bonus he is part poodle so even those with allergies to dogs can still love Barli.

Not to boast but it has been said that he’s a very good boy!