Our Roots
One Step Ahead
Young children who go to Stork's Nest Child Academy get the tools and support they need for their healthy development. All activities are carefully designed to adequately nurture the emotional, intellectual and physical growth of our kids. Through stimulating situations and hands-on learning opportunities, children are free to develop into bright young minds.
Our Purpose
The Stork's Nest Vision
At Stork's Nest Child Academy, our mission consists of providing all children and families with a high quality early childhood experience. We commit to maintaining a warm and nurturing environment where children feel safe and receive developmentally appropriate curriculum. Our unique Child Academy offers various activities and lessons taught by knowledgeable and well trained staff and educators. We aim to provide an experience that encourages children to grow in an environment that respects and supports diversity. Through cooperative play and creative activities, kids reach their social, emotional and physical milestones naturally and with ease.
Our Mission
It’s Your Pleasure To Care For Your Treasures!
The mission of The Stork’s Nest Child Academy is to create a learning environment where each child’s diverse and unique gifts are deeply respected, nurtured and celebrated.
We are inspired by children’s passion, natural curiosity and magical interpretation of the world.
We are committed to providing the highest-quality childcare, early education, and work/life solutions in the lives of children and families and in the communities where we live and work.
We provide innovative programs that help children, families, and employer’s work together to be their very best.
We seek to add joy to discovery as together we extend each other’s thinking to construct new meanings.
The Stork’s Nest Child Academy is dedicated to providing the foundation to encourage your child’s lifelong love of learning.
Stork's Nest Child Academy Team
CORPORATE ADMINISTRATION
Barbara Izzo
Owner/ President
Mrs. Izzo has over thirty years of experience in the Early Childhood field. She opened her first center in 1986, and has owned and operated various centers throughout R.I. since.
She is extremely dedicated to providing a superior structured educational program for young children. Mrs. Izzo is a member of the National & RI Child Care Director’s Association.
Paula Costa
Director of Education
Ms. Paula Costa has been with the Stork's Nest Child Academy since 1997. She started out as a kindergarten teacher and soon afterwards became the director. She happily fulfilled that role for 23 years and has taken on the role of curriculum coordinator. She has her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and is a certified teacher for the State of Rhode Island. She has taken both Foundations and Developing a Standards Based Curriculum through the Rhode Island Department of Education.
Ms. Costa enjoys working with teachers to help create an environment that promotes learning. She has two children of her own. As an educator and a mom, she loves being part of the Stork's Nest team that ensures each child is heard and given the opportunity to thrive in their classrooms.
Ms. Costa's commitment to our program is immeasurable and her dedication to the staff, children and families in all three locations is exceptional.
Cheryl Ucci
Business Director
Ms. Cheryl Ucci has been with the Stork's Nest Child Academy since 1999. She currently handles all account management at the Corporate Office. She was previously the director at the Smithfield location for several years.
As the daughter of the owner, Ms. Barbara Izzo, Cheryl strives to provide quality service to our staff, children and their families.
SCHOOL DIRECTORS
Barbara McGovern
Accountant
Mrs. Barbara McGovern has been with the Stork's Nest Child Academy since 2016. She is responsible for maintaining and interpreting all financial records for the Stork's Nest locations. She also works with the other team members at the Corporate Office to implement changes, updates and modifications to each of the centers.
As a mother of five herself, Barb recognizes how important it is to start a solid foundation at the preschool level.
SCHOOL DIRECTORS
Melissa Archambault
Warwick Director
Mrs. Archambault has been with SNCA since 1999. She started as Teacher Assistant in the preschool program in our East Greenwich location and was promoted to Assistant Director there in 2002.
In 2003, when our Warwick facility was opened, Melissa accepted the position of Site Director. She has her Associates Degree in Early Childhood and is Level II RIDE certified.
Melissa Archambault
Warwick Director
Mrs. Archambault has been with SNCA since 1999. She started as Teacher Assistant in the preschool program in our East Greenwich location and was promoted to Assistant Director there in 2002.
In 2003, when our Warwick facility was opened, Melissa accepted the position of Site Director. She has her Associates Degree in Early Childhood and is Level II RIDE certified.
Celina Jones – Haskins
East Greenwich Director
Celina has been with Stork’s Nest Child Academy since 2014. She was the head teacher and taught the Kindergarten class. She was the director and curriculum coordinator in Smithfield since 2016. She transitioned to the East Greenwich center in 2023.
She has her Bachelor's in Early Childhood/Elementary Education and Special Education. She has taken RIELDS 1,2and 3 and countless education classes.
Mishele Carvalho
Warwick Co-Director
Ms. Mishele Carvalho has worked in child care since 1989. She started with a daycare in her own home for eleven years. Mishele has worked as a lead teacher at our East Greenwich location for three years and as a lead teacher in our Warwick location for six years. In 2019, she was promoted to assistant director at our Smithfield location. Ms. Mishele's passion has been evident throughout her career here at Stork's Nest and she was promoted once again! In July of 2022, she became the director of our East Greenwich location and transitioned back to our Warwick location in 2023.
Mishele is currently enrolled in school to continue her education. She has one adult daughter and enjoys spending time with her family and friends, especially attending or watching any Miami Dolphins or PC Friars game.
Mishele's love for the childcare industry is a perfect match for leading a center of her own.
