MEET OUR EDUCATORS
SUPERVISORY STAFF
Randi McCallum, RECE
Supervisor
Hi! As many of you know, my name is Randi and I am the Supervisor here, at Wonder Years Child Care.
I reside in Burgessville with my fiancé Tyler, our two daughters Amelia and Adeline and our chocolate lab, Echo. I graduated from Fanshawe college with a diploma in Early Childhood Education, as well as Child Development Practitioner.
I have always had a love for children, so naturally, opening and operating a childcare centre was something that I actively dreamt of. To see that dream come to life, has been incredible.
Our first year was scary, challenging and rewarding, in so many ways, and I have learned so much along the way. We’ve had our share of obstacles and hurdles, but I wouldn’t change a single thing about this journey.
Over the past year, I have had the opportunity to get to know myself better, build a strong and lasting relationship with my team and create an environment that I look forward to coming back to, every day.
I have so many people to thank for helping to make our first year a successful and memorable one, including the children, families, our staff and our Board of Directors. I can’t wait to see what the future brings for Wonder Years, and I hope you will all follow along to find out!
Mary Di Pietro, RECE
Assistant Supervisor
My name is Mary Di Pietro, A graduate of Travel and Tourism at Fanshawe College, also a graduate of Early Childhood Education, and Child Development Practitioner of Fanshawe College. I recently achieved my Insurance Institute certificate and I am enrolled in an online Interior design program. I love expanding my knowledge in many fields but my true passion is working with children.
I worked at Just 4 Mom’s & Kids childcare centre in Scotland for 6 years, working with all age groups from infant to school-age. For the past year I was working as an executive assistant/nanny for an insurance company in Simcoe.
I live in Norwich with my spouse and our sweet golden retriever Marlow. I enjoy traveling and spending time with family and friends.
I look forward to getting back into a classroom setting and help your children grow through play and creative experiences.
TODDLER PROGRAM STAFF
Mikayla Comiskey, RECE
Toddler Educator
My name is Mikayla and I live in Norwich with my husband and our two little ones! I graduated with honors from Fanshawe's Early Childhood Education program and have been successfully running a home daycare in town since 2019. Our family has made a lot of friends along the way, which has set both my children and I up to know more people and make new friends in the community. I am excited for this new transition and venture of working out of the house and am looking forward to working with, teaching and helping your children learn in a nurturing, positive and safe environment.
Lexis Alexander
Toddler Educator
My name is Lexis! I have lived in Norfolk County for the majority of my life. After graduating from DDSS, I attended Fanshawe to study Child and Youth Worker but realized my real dream was to become a primary school teacher.
While taking a year off from pursuing my dream of becoming a teacher, I have found myself an amazing opportunity at Wonder Years Child Care. I look forward to getting to know your children and watching them grow through play as well as expanding my personal knowledge about children of different ages.
in my free time, you can find me on the lake fishing, enjoying a nice meal or hanging out with my friends and family.
PRESCHOOL PROGRAM STAFF
Kailee Mabee, RECE
Preschool Educator
My name is Kailee and I am one of the educators here at Wonder Years1
I am recently back from maternity leave and I am loving getting to know all the new families that have joined us while I was away!
If I'm not at work playing and learning with your littles, I am at home doing it with mine.
I first found my love for working with children at a young age. I attended Niagara College for a three year program in the Child and Youth Worker field.
After graduating from Niagara College, I accepted a position as a preschool teacher with a local child care centre. I then knew I wanted to return to school to continue my education in child care. I have since then obtained my ECE and Child Development Practitioner diploma.
I look forward to getting to know your children and watching them master new skills by learning and exploring through play.
Amanda Perks, RECE
Preschool Educator
My name is Amanda Diaz and I have recently joined the preschool room as a full time educator. I have been working in a variety of early years settings for the past 14 years and I can honestly say I love it. Each child I have had the privilege of spending time with has left a special mark on my life. I was asked to share a little about myself with you all, so here it goes. I live in Brownsville, I am married with 3 children, 2 dogs, 1 cat and some chickens.
My favourite author is Robert Munch, although I love reading any book to children. I'm very excited to continue my journey here at Wonder Years Child Care and can't wait to meet all the wonderful children and their families! A great educator that I have met along the way once told me that Winnie the Pooh had answers for everything, so let me leave you with some wise Winnie words. "Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart." I believe that to be true.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to spend the day with your greatest treasures.
SCHOOL AGE PROGRAM STAFF
Larissa Van Hove, RECE
School Age Educator
My name is Larissa Van Hove. I graduated from the Early Childhood Education Program at Mohawk College in 2012 and have been working in the field since. I started my journey with Wonder Years after moving to Norwich with my family, and I was excited to bring my ideas to the team! I love to create inclusive environments that are geared towards allowing children to explore and discover confidently. I attempt to foster creativity and individuality in my programs and believe each child is unique and special while bringing their own magic to the classroom!
Tamren Patterson, CYW
School Age Educator
My name is Tamren and I am one of the school age educators at Wonder years Child Care! I live in Norwich with my spouse and our wonderful dogs. In my spare time, I like to read and write, and of course, spend time with my family. I am a Child and Youth Worker graduate, and I have worked with both children and young adults through Brant Family & Children's Services as we as Community Living. I am passionate about working with children and strive to provide quality care, as well as helping to teach skills that children can utilize in their everyday lives.
I hope to be a positive impact and a stepping stone for children's success as an educator at Wonder Years Child Care.
NUTRITION STAFF
Allyson Nagy
Cook
My name is Allyson Nagy, I am very excited to be welcomed back to Wonder Years. I was apart of the Wonder Years team when they first opened in 2021, since then I branched out to a different career path. When being offered to come back to Wonder Years as the cook, I couldn't turn down the opportunity to work with the team again. I have lived in Norwich for the past 7 years and I have 2 grown boys that I am very proud of but worry about all the time because they are police officers. Some of my hobbies include walks with my dog Crimson, planting my vegetable garden and hanging out by the pool.
I look forward to cooking up some yummy meals for your children to enjoy!
PROGRAM SUPPORT & SUPPLY STAFF
Briana DeRoo, PSW
Support Staff
Hi my name is Briana DeRoo. I am a mother of 2 boys from Burgessville and have lived within the area my whole life. In my spare time, I can always be found spending time with my family and friends.
I attended Fanshawe college and obtained my personal support worker certificate and had been working as a PSW for 9 years at Woodingford Lodge. I was recently given the opportunity to change career paths when I accepted a position as a toddler teacher at Wonder Years. I am looking forward to getting to know the children and families within the centre and building positive and lasting relationships with the children I will be working with.
Martina McCallum
Supply Staff
Melonie Beck
Hi everyone! My name is Mel and I am so excited to be part of the Wonder Years team! I was born and raised in Southwest Florida where I went to school and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. Shortly after moving to Ontario in 2011, I realized that I am truly passionate about childcare and I decided I was ready to make a fulfilling career change. My husband and I have 3 beautiful children, 1 of which has special needs, and that has fueled my drive to have inclusion & acceptance as a big part of my classroom. I am a cat person, love of flip flops and a good beach sunset, I am obsessed with the colour purple and I am happiest when I am with my family and friends. I am eager to learn alongside your children and help them to see that they can do anything they put their minds to!
Rachel McElhinney, CYW
Supply Staff
My name is Martina McCallum and I reside in Delhi with my spouse Jeremy, his younger brother Jerrid and our 2 dogs Syd & Zeke. I am a nurturing and passionate person and have always thought that it may take me in the direction or Veterinary Medicine or Child Care.
After accepting a position at Wonder Years and working along side the amazing staff, I have found that I truly enjoy watching all of the children grow. I look forward to every day at Wonder Years and taking part in the children's learning.
Hi, my name is Rachel McElhinney. I am a supply staff here at Wonder Years Child Care. I was born and raised in Norwich and I am a Child and Youth Worker, Class of ’17. I have two beautiful daughters who have taught me just how precious and intelligent children are. I strive to provide the best care and education to the children in the community especially those at our centre.
Sarah Zeyen, RECE
Supply Staff
It is a pleasure to be introducing myself to the Wonder Years Child Care community. My name is Sarah Zeyen, I live in Otterville with my spouse Jeff, 2 year old daughter Madelyn and newborn daughter Annabelle.
Working with children has always been my passion in life and it was natural that my post secondary education reflects this. I graduated from Fleming College in Peterborough with a diploma in Early Childhood Education (ECE) in 2008. I started my Early Childhood Education career working in an emergent curriculum child care centre in Peterborough, Ontario. I enjoyed working in child care for 4 years but decided to expand my education and specialize in the Communication Disorders Program at Lambton College, Sarnia. I graduated with a diploma in Communication Disorders Assistant (CDA) in 2012.
After graduation, I accepted a full time position with Thames Valley District School Board in the Full Day Kindergarten Program as an ECE. I worked in the FDK classroom for 5 years and worked part time practicing speech and language at a private speech clinic in Tillsonburg. My focus changed and I transitioned to supply ECE with TVDSB and full time at the speech clinic to gain more clinical experience.
After maternity leave with my first child, I began to put my long time dreams of opening a child care centre to fruition. Meeting Randi McCallum, we discovered that we had similar visions and so our journey begins!
I am excited to meet all of our future toddler/preschool children and their families. I look forward to growing and learning with you.