Meet Our Founder:

 

Great Start Preschool & Daycare, Inc. was founded by Pastor Mark Di Bernardo in 2006. Inspired by his eight grandchildren, he envisioned a school that felt like a family, and an environment that felt like home. Pastor Mark is a dedicated Christian pastor and community leader, who has devoted his life to serving others and sharing the love of God with those around him. With a passion for helping  people navigate the challenges of life, he has spent decades working with adults and youth and guiding them towards a brighter future. 

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Pastor Mark's family moved to Arizona from Brooklyn in the 1950s. Pastor Mark fell in love with the Wild West of Arizona and has transformed Great Start's Campus into a Wild West town complete with a trackless train, water tower, and Wild West playground. He created this campus as a tribute to his own parents and upbringing here in the great state of Arizona. 

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Pastor Mark believes that the curriculum and activities are focused on learning with a hands on approach and believes that keeping school fun is the key to children being excited about learning.  "Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I may remember. Involve me, and I learn." - Benjamin Franklin