The Loft School board knew they’d found the right person when they heard Sharon Barrows explain why she’s in the early education field.

“It’s my passion,” said Barrows. “I think that it means a lot for young children and families to feel at ease, to have a place where they can grow, be nurtured.”

Barrows was hired after a four-month search to replace Lil Shani, the preschool’s director for four years and a teacher four years prior to that.

“I wanted to make sure I left Loft in really good hands,” said Shani, who will spend some time helping Barrows transition into her new role.

Shani said she is leaving to finish her degree in early education but isn’t worried about her replacement.

Barrows, a Mattapoisett resident with two grown daughters, has more than 30 years of experience in early education. She started out working for the preschool program, Project Grow, at Rochester Memorial School, and later became director of the YMCA’s early education program based at Sippican School. Her last job was at Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School’s early childhood shop, but she was laid off due to budget buts.

Barrows said she was happy to find the position at Loft because it matches her own philosophies. Loft encourages hands-on learning for kids with a “play-based” curriculum.

“It’s important to me that the family involvement at the school is there. It has to be there to be successful,” she said, adding that she is on board with plans to help the school grow.

Barrows said she plans to stay at Loft until she retires, but she will never retire from early education.

“I will always do something in early childhood when I retire. It keeps me young.”