North Shore Family Daycare is a network of over 25 state licensed, child care educators who provide a caring, learning environment for children in their private homes. For over 40 years, we have offered caring and nurturing child care services to families in Lynn and surrounding areas. Our educators are open for different schedules beginning as early as 6:30 am and their programs close between 4:00 pm and 5:30 pm. Each of our educators is located in or near Lynn, MA.
Office Staff
Donna Kennedy, LSW
Executive Director
Donna is a Licensed Social Worker with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Donna began her career as a social worker for Catholic Charities and also served as the director of family child care at Catholic Charities before joining the team at NSFD. With over 35 years of experience in Family Child Care, Donna has been with North Shore Family Daycare since 1999. Donna chose NSFD educators to care for her own children when they were younger.
Dorah Malila- Hosseya,
System Director
Dorah has a Bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood Education and she is completing her Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration. She is a Montessori trained educator and has worked as an Assistant Director in a Center before joining our team. She is the parent of two young children, one of which is enrolled with a North Shore Family Daycare Educator.
Teresa Johnson-Martinez, M.Ed, M.S.Ed
Director of Education Services
Teresa was a Preschool Teacher for 13 years before joining North Shore Family Daycare in 2014. She has two Master’s Degrees, one in Education and the second in Special Education. Teresa also has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.
Annetty Lara,
Subsidy/Billing Manager
lAnnetty is a bilingual Spanish/English speaker. She was the childcare billing specialist for the Beverly YMCA before joining our team in 2014. She is currently taking classes in Early Childhood Education.
Claudia Alvarez,
Secretary
Claudia is a bilingual Spanish/English speaker. She is a graduate of the MediClerk certificate program and worked in customer service for several years before joining our team in 2020.
Carol Hernandez,
Home Visitor/Subsidy Specialist
Carol started her journey in the childcare field in 2017 as a Family Child Care Educator. She had some previous experience helping her mother, who had also been an FCC Educator. Carol worked with North Shore Family Daycare for 4 years while caring for her youngest daughter. She also worked intermittently as a Certified FCC Assistant and Early Childhood Coach providing training and support to other Family Child Care Educators. She has an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and is taking classes for her Bachelor’s Degree. Carol is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Meet Our Educators
Each of our educators has studied child growth and development. All are committed to achieving a CDA (Child Development Associate) and most have earned a CDA credential. The majority of our educators have completed an Associate’s degree in early childhood education and several have continued their studies to obtain a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree. A few of our educators’ programs have also earned an NAFCC (National Association of Family Child Care) accreditation.
As a part of their commitment to continuously improving our programs, each educator creates an annual plan for their continued professional development and participates in training each year that fosters their knowledge and growth as child care professionals. All educators are required to maintain First Aid and CPR certifications.
Click on the pictures below to learn more about the Educators
Dania
Dania speaks both English and Spanish fluently. She is licensed for eight children, which includes two school-aged children, and has worked with North Shore Family Daycare since 2008. She is a former Head Start Assistant Teacher and holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. She is pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Dania is very health-conscious and focuses on nutritious foods and developing healthy habits. Music, dancing, and exploring the outdoors are among Dania’s favorite activities.
Bethania
Bethania is bi-lingual in Spanish/English. She is licensed to work with ten children and works with a full-time assistant. A former assistant elementary school teacher in her native Dominican Republic, Bethania has a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She has been with North Shore Family Daycare since 2004. Bethania utilizes her knowledge of how children grow and learn to create a curriculum and a learning environment that helps children to develop their social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills.
Felicia
Felicia is a bilingual Spanish/English speaker. She made a career change to the field of early childhood education after being a small business owner of a cleaning company for several years. She was inspired by her love of children and a desire to provide working families with an excellent care option for their children. She believes that a child’s early years should be happy ones and strives to make every day at her program fun and stimulating. She enjoys singing and helping young children discover the world around them through music and by using their imagination. She believes that establishing a good relationship with parents is key to their children’s positive experience in her program. Felicia is studying Early Childhood Education at a local college and has earned a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
Laura
Laura is fluent in both English and Spanish. She is licensed for ten children and has worked with North Shore Family Daycare since 2007. Her husband, Jose, is her full-time assistant. Before 2007 Laura worked as a teacher in Puerto Rico. Laura has both a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Dancing, especially Zumba, and traveling are two of her interests. Laura enjoys cooking, and feeds her child care children the same healthy meals she prepares for her own family. Laura offers an educational program that teaches children independent skills and prepares them for kindergarten.
Cinthia
Cinthia is fluent in both English and Spanish. She has been a licensed family child care assistant since 2009. She worked at a local child care center as a substitute teacher and after college worked as a private nanny. She earned a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and has a Bachelor’s degree in accounting. She opened her own Family Daycare program and joined North Shore Family Day in 2014.
Iris
Iris is licensed to care for six children and speaks both Spanish and English. She has been affiliated with North Shore Family Daycare since 2010. Prior to that time, she worked in a Head Start program. Iris has both a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education/Human Service Worker. Good communication with families is a priority for Iris, as is planning programs for young children that include a strong multicultural component.
Sonia
Sonia is a bilingual English/Spanish educator. She is licensed for ten children and her husband, Carlos, is her full-time assistant. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, as well as a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Special Education. Sonia loves working with children and their families to help children reach their full potential. Sonia also teaches courses at a local College for other child care Educators applying for their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. She has worked with North Shore Family Daycare since 2006.
Annette
Annette has worked with North Shore Family Daycare since 1999. She is licensed to care for eight children, including two who are school-aged. Annette has earned a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, and her program was accredited by the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC). She has taken classes towards her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Annette began providing child care to be home for her own children. Now that her children are grown, she is still in the business! Annette believes that good nutrition and family involvement are very important. The mission of her program is to offer a bright, safe learning environment where children can be themselves while experiencing hands-on activities that prepare them for kindergarten and society.
Elizabeth
Elizabeth is bilingual in Spanish/English. She is licensed to care for ten children and works with her husband, Joselin, as her full-time assistant. Prior to joining North Shore Family Daycare in 2006, Elizabeth worked as an assistant kindergarten teacher. She holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She has taken classes towards a Bachelor’s degree in Education. Elizabeth is very patient and loves to watch children grow and progress. She particularly enjoys art activities. She has a large backyard for the children to enjoy and offers a program where children both learn and have fun.
Florentina
Florentina speaks both Spanish and English. She is licensed for ten children and works with her husband, Fidelio as her full-time assistant. She has worked with North Shore Family Daycare since 2005. She holds both a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Florentina has an interest in the arts, including singing and dancing, and believes in teaching children to respect others. She establishes good working relationships with children and families, and always welcomes children with a smile.
Reina
Reina speaks both Spanish and English. She has worked with North Shore Family Daycare since 2007. Reina is licensed to care for 10 children, and works with a licensed Assistant. Reina has a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and her Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Reina loves daily Group Time and believes it is the most important activity for developing children’s cognitive skills. She especially enjoys incorporating books into this activity and helping children associate what they learn from books with real life.
Vanessa
Vanessa speaks both Spanish and English. She is licensed for ten children and works with a full-time assistant. She holds both a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Her program is National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) Accredited. Vanessa offers a dynamic, developmentally appropriate curriculum and values close working relationships with the parents of children in her care. She has worked with North Shore Family Daycare since 2013.
Ivonne
Ivonne speaks both English and Spanish. She joined North Shore Family Daycare in 2018. She previously worked as a bus driver for ten years. She is licensed for ten children and works with an assistant. She is currently studying for her CDA credential and Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. Ivonne prides herself on having an open, honest relationship between herself and her student’s families. She provides a fun-loving environment that fosters children’s interests as well as their development.
Sila
Sila speaks both English and Spanish. She has been a licensed family child care provider since 2012. Sila has a Teaching Degree, an Associate’s Degree in Theology, and has earned a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. She has worked with North Shore Family Daycare since 2016. Sila takes pride in tailoring her curriculum, through observation and assessment, to meet each of her student’s individual educational and social-emotional needs.
Atika
Atika speaks both English and Arabic. She joined North Shore Family Daycare in 2016. Atika has worked with preschool children since 2011. She started her career as an assistant in a family daycare. After a year, she realized teaching children was her passion and decided to work in a local preschool where she earned her teaching certificate. She worked in a preschool center for four years, three of which were as a lead teacher. Atika prides herself on creating a fun-loving-educational environment for the children in her care. She is currently licensed for six full-time children and 2 after school children.
Martha
Martha is bilingual in Spanish and English. She has over 23 years experience operating her own childcare program and joined North Shore Family Daycare in 2021. Martha has taken College Level Early Childhood Classes and holds a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. She is licensed to care for 10 children and works with licensed Assistants. She uses a lot of art and music in her program and enjoys spending time with children outside in her large yard.
Isabel
Isabel has a marketing degree, has earned a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, and is taking college classes in Early Childhood Education for her Associate’s Degree. Isabel speaks both English and Spanish. She joined North Shore Family Daycare in 2018. She has a school-age son. Isabel teaches children in her care how to be respectful, share, and enjoy playing games, whether they win or lose, to learn new concepts. She is licensed to care for ten children and works with a licensed Assistant.
Keila
Keila is bi-lingual in Spanish/English. She is licensed to work with ten children. She works with a full-time assistant who was a licensed Nurse Practitioner in the Dominican Republic. Keila has a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and is pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She has been with North Shore Family Daycare since 2019. Keila enjoys teaching children and helping them discover their own creativity through art, music, and drama.
Roselika
Roselika speaks both Spanish and English and enjoys running a bilingual program. She is licensed to work with 10 children and works with a full-time assistant. She has been with North Shore Family Daycare since 2018. Roselika has a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and is pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She previously worked as an Assistant Teacher and then as a Lead Teacher in a center for eight years. Roselika individualizes her curriculum based on each of her student’s developmental needs. She especially enjoys teaching while exploring nature and creative art activities.
Aracelys
Aracelys is a bilingual Spanish and English speaker. She is licensed to care for 10 full-time children and works with an assistant. She has a child development associate (CDA) credential and is pursuing an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education at a local college. Aracelys joined North Shore Family Daycare in 2021 but has over 14 years of experience operating her childcare business. She enjoys helping each child grow socially, physically, and intellectually and provides an individualized curriculum that fosters each child’s developmental progress while having fun..
Assitan
Assitan speaks English, French, and Bambara. She joined North Shore Family Daycare in 2021 after teaching preschool at Head Start for several years. Assitan has a child development associate (CDA) credential and is currently pursuing an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. She loves helping children grow and her curriculum is designed to foster both their social & emotional skills and their cognitive development. Assitan has a large fenced-in yard for outdoor play.
Maria
Maria is a bilingual Spanish and English speaker. Maria joined the team at North Shore Family Daycare in 2021 but she has operated her own childcare business since 2010. She has a child development associate (CDA) credential and is pursuing her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. She is licensed to care for 6 children and can also accept 2 school-age children for after-school care. Maria loves teaching children and watching them grow. She really promotes language and communication skills and puts a strong emphasis in her curriculum on social and emotional development teaching children to be caring, helpful, and respectful of others.
Yalila
Yalila worked for more than 12 years as an infant/toddler teacher in Centers before opening her own childcare business and joining North Shore Family Daycare in 2021. She is a bilingual English/Spanish speaker. She is licensed to care for 6 children and often works with a licensed assistant. Yalila is working towards an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and has her child development associate (CDA) credential. She enjoys reading and music with the children and creating literacy-based activities and experiences for them that promote their social, cognitive, and physical development. Yalila provides many opportunities for outdoor play in her fenced-in yard.
Kennis
Kennis is a bilingual English/Spanish speaker that is licensed to care for 10 children. Kennis began her career in Early Childhood Education in 2007. She has experience as a classroom teacher working in Child Care Centers in both Massachusetts and Florida. She worked as a licensed Family Daycare Provider with North Shore Family Daycare before moving out of state for several years and has recently rejoined our team in 2022. Her time working with North Shore Family Daycare totals more than 9 years. Kennis has an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Child Development Associate (CDA). She really enjoys incorporating Arts and Crafts into her curriculum to help stimulate learning in a fun way that helps children to grow and learn.
Joely
Joely joined North Shore Family Daycare in 2023 but she started her childcare career as a private nanny and has also worked as a certified assistant for different FCC Educators. After many years doing that and now having two children of her own, she decided to open her own program. Joely speaks both English and Spanish. She takes pride in nurturing children and helping them grow each day and is very passionate about what she does. Joely has a Bachelor’s Degree in a different field but decided Early Childhood Education is her true passion. She is currently licensed for 6 children and can accept 2 more school aged children for afterschool care.
Blanca speaks both English and Spanish and is licensed to care for 6 children. She has worked with North Shore Family Daycare since 2023. She is pursuing college classes in Early Childhood Education at a local college. Blanca enjoys creating fun curriculum that helps children grow cognitively while also developing social and emotional skills.
Maribel is a bilingual English / Spanish speaker. She is licensed to care for 6 full-time children and can accept 2 additional school age children. Maribel started her career in early childhood education as a family childcare educator over twenty years ago. Maribel has worked in Public School classrooms and Centers for a number of years before deciding to return to operating her own family childcare business. Maribel has a Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies, but has achieved her Child Development Associate, various teaching certificates and her Director certifications from North Shore Community College. Maribel enjoys creating her own curriculum and providing a safe environment where children can explore and be creative.
Ana is a bilingual English / Spanish speaker who is licensed to care for 10 children. She works with her husband, Ricardo, as her full-time assistant. Ana has six years experience as a family child care educator. She joined North Shore Family Daycare in 2024 after moving to Lynn. She is taking college classes in early childhood education. She utilizes her knowledge of child development to create a fun curriculum that helps children develop their social, emotional, cognitive and physical skills.
Choose North Shore Family Daycare for child care you can trust. For enrollment information or to learn more about our educators, please contact us today at 781-598-4532.
280 Union Street, Suite 403 Lynn, MA 01901
Phone: 781-598-4532
FAX: 781-691-0160 E-Mail: nsfamilydaycare@northshorefamilydaycare.com