Every morning, when I welcome the children into my daycare, it feels like I’m opening the door to something I once only dreamed of. I am licensed to care for children from infancy through age 12, allowing my program to serve as both a daycare and a pre-K environment.  

About a year ago, I was still in the corporate world, working a job that did not bring the impact I wanted to see. I remember the frustration of searching for childcare that felt warm, attentive, and truly nourishing — not just safe, but meaningful. I could not find it. At least not the way I imagined it.

So I made a decision that felt terrifying at the time: I quit, and I built the place I wished had existed.

This is my Pumpkin Patch Daycare. Not only a daycare, but a community where parents feel heard. Soon it will be opening as a playspace during the non-operating hours.  

It is not a big commercial center. It is a warm, light-filled home on Wottons Mill Road, in Union — an indoor and outdoor space where little brains grow, little hands explore, and every personality is free to discover the world. We opened our doors on October 6th of 2025. 

I came to the United States from Sofia, Bulgaria, five years ago, carrying pieces of my culture with me, pieces I never wanted to lose. This daycare became the perfect place to share them.

The children do not just play here — they experience a little piece of Bulgaria and the Balkans every day. Through food, stories, music and dance, they learn that the world is bigger, richer, and has a lot to offer.

And the food: This is something I will never compromise on. Every meal is homemade. Always. I cook the way I grew up: fresh, balanced, full of flavor and care. The children might eat soups, roasted vegetables, yogurt dishes, or traditional Balkan meals. I want them to feel what it’s like to be nourished, not just fed.

Because here, food is comfort, culture, and connection.

Some days are quiet. we read books, build towers, and do arts and crafts. Other days are loud and joyful, full of music, dancing, and the kind of chaos that only happy children create.

Outside, in the crisp Maine air, we run, explore, and watch the seasons change. Nature is part of our classroom. Movement is part of our rhythm.

Sports are a big part of my story. I was a professional basketball player, which led me to become an official. I currently officiate Division II, Division III in New England, and high school basketball in Maine. That journey taught me discipline, decision-making, and how to stay present under pressure. It also showed me that growth comes through repetition, failure, and reflection.

Today, I carry those same principles into my daycare, intentionally passing them on to the children by helping them build confidence, resilience, and a strong foundation for lifelong growth. I’m also proud to give back through Trinity Hoops.

The Trinity Hoops League is a basketball development league/community focused on girls and women in the game — not just players, but also officials and coaches.  where I support the development  officials. For me, growth never stops, and I bring that same mindset into my work with children every day.

What matters most to me is that this place feels like a second home. Not rushed. Not impersonal.

I know every child’s habits, their favorite foods, the songs that make them smile, and the moments when they need a little extra comfort.

Starting this daycare wasn’t easy. It meant risk, long days, and believing in something before it existed. But now, when I hear the children laughing, or see them try something new for the first time, I know I made the right choice. I created something meaningful, which carries on. 

This isn’t just childcare. This is a community. These are shared values. This is showing up for our children.

This is my heart, my culture, my home — and I share it with every child who walks through my door.

Keep showing up. The future belongs to those who do!