Child Care Assistant

Stevanie is a child care assistant for the Cuddlebugs, a classroom for ages 2 to 3 years. She was previously in the Jungle Cubs room. Stevanie started at the Center in Summer 2023.

Past employment
Stevanie was formerly a paraprofessional in the Pittsfield School District.

Education
Stevanie has earned the New Hampshire Early Childhood Educator Emerging Professional Certificate.

Teacher

Darcy is the teacher for the Cuddlebugs, a classroom for ages 2 to 3 years. She has also been a teacher for the L'il Angels, and a teacher’s aide for the Busy Bees. She has been at the Center since 2003.

Past employment
Darcy has been babysitting since she was 12-years-old. She came to the Center shortly after college.

Education
Darcy earned an associate degree in early childhood education from Granite State College in 2021, and is certified in CPR and First Aid. She also has earned the New Hampshire Early Childhood Educator II Professional Credential as well as the Infant Toddler Foundational II Credential. She also has an associate degree in architectural engineering from the New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord.

On working at the Center
“I love working with children. They have such love and imagination. Every day is always so different.”

Teaching philosophy
“Every day you will learn something new. I want to be open minded, caring and a good listener.”

Family
Darcy has three older brothers and a younger sister.

Teacher

Nicole co-leads the Little Ducklings, a classroom for ages 6 to 16 months. She previously worked in the Lil’ Angels room. Nicole has been at the Center since Fall 2025.

Past employment
Before joining The Children's Center, Nicole taught middle school science in Plaistow, New Hampshire. She later became a stay-at-home parent and founded an educational software company. Today, she brings her passion for education and child development to our infant program, where she provides nurturing care and support for our youngest learners.

Education
Nicole holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Salem State University and a Master of Education degree from the University of New Hampshire.

On working at the Center
“What I love most about the Center is how deeply everyone cares about the children. That commitment is something you can feel the moment you walk in. The team here is very positive and supportive.”

Teaching philosophy
“Being part of the formative years is incredibly rewarding. I feel that children learn best when they feel secure enough to follow their curiosity and explore the world around them. Young children learn so fast and I enjoy building that foundation with them.”

Family
Outside of work, Nicole enjoys exploring New England with her husband and two kids. Whether they’re enjoying a drive along the coastline, hiking a new trail, or enjoying a new cafe, they love their weekend adventures.

Teacher’s Assistant

Grace is a teacher’s assistant in the Busy Bees classroom, working with children ages 2 to 3 years. She has also supported children in the Little Owls classroom and has been a valued member of The Children's Center team since Fall 2025.

Past employment
Grace worked as a child caregiver and teacher for Chester Village Daycare & Preschool in Chester, NH before joining us at The Children’s Center.

Education
Grace graduated from Pinkerton Academy in Derry, NH in 2023.

Substitute

Karen is a substitute for the infant and toddler programs. She started at the Center in August 2024.

Past employment
Karen comes to us from The Learning Path in Derry with nearly 20 years of experience.

Education
Karen is a graduate of Hesser College.

On working at the Center
"I hope to be a positive addition to the amazing staff at The Children's Center. I enjoy interacting with children whom I have always been drawn to my entire life."

Teaching philosophy
Karen believes in enhancing the well-being of children, their families, and the community while meeting milestones and educating.

Family
Karen moved to Tuftonboro in March 2024 with her husband and both are busy renovating their new home. She has two amazing sons who are the light of her life. Both sons have graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology and are successful in their respective field of study in the Boston community.

Teacher

Mandy is a teacher for the Little Owls, a classroom for ages 2 to 3 years. She has also worked in Little Loons, Lil’ Angels, and as a special education teacher in our preschool program. She has worked at the Center since February 2022.

Past employment
Mandy is a former parent who is very familiar with the Center and loves working with children. She previously worked as a Classroom Instructional Assistant at Tuftonboro Central School and has worked as an Early Childcare Provider and a Special Education Teacher/Case Manager before that.

Education
Mandy holds a NH Early Childhood Teacher, Level 5 Credential, and has a M. Ed in Special Education from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. She also has a B.A. in Psychology and Art from Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY.

Teacher

Samantha co-leads the Little Ducklings, a classroom for ages 6 to 16 months. She has also worked in the Cuddlebugs, Jungle Cubs, and Little Owls. She has worked at the Center since January 2012.

Past employment
“I started volunteering at the center when I was a junior in high school. I enjoyed it so much I started working at the Center after I graduated.” Samantha also worked as a counselor at the Ossipee Recreation Department’s summer day camp.

Education
Samantha graduated from Kingswood Regional High School in 2011. She is certified in CPR and First Aid.

On working at the Center
“You can learn a lot from the kids and I love watching them grow. It’s an amazing feeling to know you can make a difference in a child’s life.”

Teacher

Megan is the teacher in the Busy Bees classroom, working with children ages 2 to 3 years. She has been with us since early 2026.

Past employment
Megan previously worked at The Children's Center for two years before pursuing her dream of operating her own in-home daycare program. In early 2026, Megan returned to The Children's Center, bringing with her valuable experience and a continued passion for early childhood education. She is excited to once again be part of The Center community and support young children as they learn, grow, and explore.

Education
Megan is currently working toward her Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Development while working at The Children's Center.

Teacher’s Assistant

Arionna is a teacher’s assistant for the Jungle Cubs, a classroom for ages 13 to 24 months and will also relieve Tiffany Fox in the Snapdragons classroom on Mondays. She was previously in the Playful Penguins room. Arionna has been with the Center since March 2025.

Past employment
Arionna was previously a private nanny for a family in New Durham, NH.

Education
Arionna graduated from Pittsfield High School in 2022.

Teacher

Katie is the teacher for the Jungle Cubs, a classroom for ages 13 to 24 months. She worked as a teacher’s aide in the Little Dragons and Munchkins, and has worked at the Center since 2003.

Past employment
Katie started babysitting at the age of 11. She first came to the center through the high school’s early childhood education program.

Education
Katie graduated from Kingswood Regional High School. She earned an associate’s degree in early childhood education from the New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord and has earned the New Hampshire Early Childhood Educator II Professional Credential. She is certified in CPR and First Aid.

On working at the Center
“I have always enjoyed working with kids. I like knowing I am teaching them something new every day.”

Teaching philosophy
“I want to always be willing to learn something new, even if it’s from the children. Everything we do can be used as a teaching tool.”

Family
“I grew up in Ossipee, then moved to Gilmanton, where I own a home with my husband.”

Child Care Assistant

Autumn is a child care assistant for the infant/toddler program and serves as a float throughout her days. She began working at the Center in Spring 2025.

Education
Autumn currently attends Kingswood Regional High School and is involved in the Careers in Education program through Lakes Region Technology Center. She will begin her senior year of high school in Fall 2025.

On working at the Center
“When working at the Center, I love to watch the kids grows, and get to know them more.”

Family
“I have a brother and sister. We live on a lake and spend most of our summer days by the water.”

Child Care Assistant

Lala is a child care assistant for the infant/toddler program and serves as a float throughout her days. She began working at the Center in Spring 2025.

Education
Lala currently attends Kingswood Regional High School and is involved in the Careers in Education program through Lakes Region Technology Center.

Teacher

Dena is the teacher for the Lil' Angels, a classroom for ages 6 weeks to 12 months. Previously, Dena was the teacher for the Busy Bees & Little Ducklings. She first started at the Center in 1999, working as a one-on-one and a teacher's aide. She has cared for children at the Center for more than 20 years in total.

Past employment
Dena first started working at the Center when she was in high school. Growing up, her mother owned a daycare center where Dena helped out starting when she was 10 years old. Dena has also been a preschool teacher for Joyful Footsteps in Alton and ran her own in-home daycare before returning to the Center.

Education
Dena graduated from Alton Central High School. She has taken courses in early childhood education at Granite State College and Laconia Technical College and has earned the New Hampshire Early Childhood Educator I Professional Credential. Dena is certified in CPR and First Aid.

On working at the Center
“I love to see the smile on the kids’ faces when I walk into the room in the morning. It makes me feel like I have done something right.”

Teaching philosophy
“I try to be the best teacher I can be. Sometimes it is hard to work with different age groups and learning abilities, but you find things that work.”

Family
Dena lives in New Tuftonboro with her husband and three children, Ella, Anna and William. “They have all been through the center since they were babies and have had wonderful experiences.”

Child Care Assistant

Natalie is a child care assistant for the Lil’ Angels, a classroom for ages 6 weeks to 12 months. She has worked at the Center since November 2023.

Past employment
Natalie was a student of the Careers in Education development program at Lakes Region Technology Center in Kingswood High School and received a diploma from Carroll County Adult Education. Natalie also has experience as a babysitter and has worked at Hannaford Supermarket in Ossipee as well as Harvest Market in Wolfeboro.

Education
Natalie recently graduated from Kingswood High School and is pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. She is certified in CPR and First Aid.

Teaching philosophy
”Working with children makes me feel fulfilled. Being a positive example in a child’s life is a blessing.”

Family
Natalie has five siblings in her family. She has been with her significant other for two years.

Teacher

Tapanga is a teacher for the Little Owls, a classroom for ages 2 to 3 years. She has also worked as a child care assistant for the infant/toddler program and as the kitchen assistant at the Center.

Past employment
Tapanga started at the Center in 2019 in the kitchen. She fell in love with the children and moved to work in the classroom in 2020. Before starting at the Center, she worked all over Wolfeboro.

Education
Tapanga graduated from Newport (NH) High School; she later graduated from Granite State College, now known as the UNH College of Professional Studies, with High Honors in 2024. She also has earned the New Hampshire Early Childhood Educator I Professional Credential as well as the Infant Toddler Foundational I Credential.

On working at the Center
"I love helping children discover and learn the world around them. Knowing we have such an impact on their lives really makes you think about how important those early years are.”

Teaching Philosphy
”I believe children learn best through play and observation. Children are always watching and listening to the world around them. If we are positive and kind to one another during those early years, imagine the kind of impact we could have on the future generations.”

Family
Tapanga lives in Wolfeboro with her husband and many furbabies. They enjoy time on the lake, camping, and being with friends and family.