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About Us
Our mission is to be the finest preschool in the oceanfront community.
We are committed to creating a love of learning in children and a servant’s heart in a safe and nurturing Christian environment. Our goal is to more than prepare every child to be confident and compassionate, academically prepared, and socially aware.
Our History
Beach Day School was founded in 1968 by Mary Hood, a devoted teacher with a vision for a warm, nurturing Christian preschool.
With the support of First Presbyterian Church, Mary created a place where children could grow in their love of God, school, and learning.
In 1988, the church purchased the school, making it a cornerstone ministry for the community.
Mary continued as director, ensuring that her dream of providing high-quality education for children of all backgrounds lived on. What began as one teacher’s dream has grown into a lasting ministry of love and learning.
Since Mary’s retirement, several directors have continued her legacy, including our current director, Dawn Finguerra, who has been leading Beach Day School since 2012.
Today, our school has grown to serve over 100 children with the support of 18 dedicated teachers. We offer two 2-year-old classes, two 3-year-old classes, two 4-year-old classes, and full-day junior and senior kindergarten programs. Mary’s vision lives on, and we are honored that many of our current students are the children of former Beach Day students—proof of the lasting impact this school has had on families throughout the years.
Meet Our Administration
Dawn Finguerra earned her B.A. in Journalism and English Literature from James Madison University and her M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Old Dominion University. She served as Beach Day’s Assistant Director from 2012–2017 and has been Director since 2017. A member and elder of First Presbyterian Church, Dawn is also a proud Beach Day parent—her three adult children all attended the school. She finds great joy in serving the families who make up the Beach Day community.
Elizabeth Zak studied Early Childhood Education at Old Dominion University. She nannied and taught pre-K for 17 years before becoming the Assistant Director/Curriculum Coordinator at Beach Day School. She continues to step back into the classroom as a lead teacher whenever necessary. Elizabeth and her husband, Will, are the proud parents of a 5-year-old daughter.
Jill Thomas has been a military wife for more than 30 years, and she worked in preschools and/or with young children for much of that time. Before coming to Beach Day School, she served as a preschool director, a teacher assistant, and as a parent to her two (now adult) children.
Our Story
At Beach Day School, we believe that your child’s early years should be filled with joy, discovery, and belonging. Our preschool and kindergarten provide a safe, nurturing environment where children can grow academically, socially, and emotionally—while feeling supported every step of the way.
Located within First Presbyterian Church at the beach, we are grateful for our strong partnership with the church and the sense of community it brings to our school family.
Research shows that children who feel happy and secure are more eager to learn, participate, and succeed. That’s why our teachers make it a priority to ensure every child feels seen, valued, and encouraged to be their best self.
You can also feel confident knowing that our staff is highly trained and committed to professional excellence. Every team member is certified in First Aid, CPR, AED, and PMAT, and our teachers complete 16+ hours of continuing education annually. We are dedicated to learning and growing as educators—so we can give your child the very best foundation for a lifetime of learning.