Hope Anderson, who has worked at the nursery school for many years, will replace Ms. McQuoid as chief.
By John Tredrea
Barbara McQuoid, who began her career in early childhood education 41 years ago, said Tuesday that she is retiring from her position as director of the Pennington Presbyterian Church’s Nursery School because she feels "like it’s the time to do it."
Ms. McQuoid has been director of the school for 16 years.
"I’m going to have a chance to be a hands-on grandma, which appeals to me, because I’ve been a long-distance grandma up till now. One of my daughters is moving to this area. It’s been a wonderful experience for me at Pennington Presbyterian Nursery School, but my time to move on has come," Ms. McQuoid said.
Ms. McQuoid, whose husband, the Rev. William McQuoid, is pastor of Pennington Presbyterian Church, said: "I don’t know what I’ll do during my retirement. I’m sure I’ll do something, but am not quite sure yet what it will be."
Hope Anderson, who has worked at the nursery school for many years, will replace Ms. McQuoid as chief. "I’m particularly pleased Hope is taking over," Ms. McQuoid said. "That feels good and right. I know the school will be in excellent hands."
Ms. McQuoid, who was honored during a dinner on Friday, began working in early childhood education in 1964. "I did take some time off from it when my own children were small," she said. "But my heart has been in it since I started. I’ve been a member of the National Association for the Education for Young Children since 1964 as well. It’s been a very big part of my life for a long time."