As a dedicated mother of two boys (4 and 18), a wife, a dog and ferret mom, and a seasoned leader in early childhood education. In my free time, I love doing anything with my children: hiking, walking the dog, attending community events, and especially watching my older son play soccer. I also enjoy reading and a great movie.

I have been in the field since I was 17 and have worked in many positions. Most of my time has been spent in an ECE special education classroom specializing in ASD. I am now the Co-Director at Arlington Area Childcare in Arlington, Vermont. I hold my Vermont Early Education Career Ladder Level 3B, Director's Credential 2, youth mental health and first aid certificate, infant and toddler mental health foundations certificate, and am currently working towards my Bachelor's degree in Special Education.

I bring a unique blend of personal and professional experience to my role. My passion for nurturing young minds is deeply rooted in my experiences as a parent, which fuels my commitment to creating enriching, supportive learning environments for all children. Under my leadership, the center thrives, meeting children’s developmental needs with care, innovation, and a strong emphasis on individualized learning. I’m driven to positively impact families' lives, from developing strategic educational programs to fostering a collaborative, inclusive community within the center. My roles as a mother and an ECE leader inspire me to continuously advocate for the highest standards in early childhood education, ensuring that every child can reach their fullest potential.

My favorite children’s books are all written by Todd Parr.

“Everyone needs to be loved. There is enough love for everyone to share. Remember to love yourself. ” TP

With two decades of dedicated experience in early childhood education, I have a deep understanding of how young minds develop and learn. Throughout my career, I have been dedicated to creating engaging, supportive, and inclusive environments that nurture each child's growth and development. By combining play-based learning with a strong focus on social, emotional, and cognitive development, I have helped countless children build a solid foundation for future success. 

Over my 23 years in Early Childhood Education, I have worked in a variety of roles supporting children from birth to age 12. I currently serve as the Co-Director, Family Advocate, and Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician at Arlington Area Childcare. I hold my Director’s Three Credential, along with a Childcare Certificate and an Early Childhood Education Administrator Certificate from CCV. I also hold a Vermont Afterschool Foundation Certificate, along with my CACFP Child Nutrition Professional (CCNP) and CACFP Management Professional (CMP) certifications. I am continuing my education as I work toward my Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.

On a personal note, I live in Arlington with my husband and our two wonderful boys. Our home is always full of life thanks to our five cats, one dog, and what feels like a billion chickens (35+). As a family, we love camping, swimming, kayaking, and spending as much time outdoors as possible. My favorite food is chicken alfredo, and I absolutely need my morning coffee.

My favorite children's book is Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett. 

"The potential of each child is limitless if nurtured by love, guidance, and education." 

Food Service Manager • Farm to School Advocate • Creator of Cooking with Cole

Hi, my name is Nicole Betit, and I am the Food Service Manager at Arlington Area Childcare. With more than 10 years of experience in the food service industry, I am passionate about creating nutritious, delicious meals while helping children develop a positive and adventurous relationship with food.

In my role, I oversee our Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), including menu planning, food safety, inventory, sanitation, and ensuring our meals meet USDA nutritional guidelines. Whenever possible, I incorporate fresh, seasonal, and locally grown ingredients into our menus.

🌱 My Passion for Farm to School

Farm to School has become one of the most meaningful parts of my work. I love giving children opportunities to understand where their food comes from and how it gets from the farm and garden to their plates.

Through our Farm to School initiative, I work alongside our teachers and children to connect what we grow in our gardens and receive from local farms directly to the foods we prepare and serve. Children are encouraged to explore new fruits and vegetables, participate in taste tests, cook together, and experience food using all of their senses.

For me, Farm to School is about much more than serving healthy food—it's about creating experiences and memories around food that children can carry with them as they grow.

👩‍🍳 Cooking with Cole

My passion for hands-on food education inspired me to develop our very own Cooking with Cole curriculum at Arlington Area Childcare.

Cooking with Cole brings children into the kitchen and makes cooking part of their learning experience. Children explore ingredients, follow recipes, measure, mix, chop, and prepare age-appropriate foods while learning about nutrition and the sources of their ingredients.

Cooking naturally incorporates math, science, literacy, fine motor development, independence, and social-emotional skills—all while encouraging children to try something new.

One of my favorite parts is watching a child become excited to taste something simply because they helped make it themselves.

Our Farm to School work and Cooking with Cole have allowed me to combine two things I care deeply about: feeding children well and teaching them about food.

A Little More About Me

I continue to participate in trainings and professional development to stay current on nutrition guidelines, food safety, and food service practices.

Outside of work, I love anything involving food and family—especially barbecues, brunches and catering. And, of course, there's my fur baby Rosie, who thoroughly enjoys my profession because she considers herself my personal clean-up crew!

📖 Favorite Cookbook: Betty Crocker's Original Cookbook
🍽️ Favorite Recipe: Meat Loaf

💚 My Food Philosophy

“Eating healthy foods fills your body with energy and nutrients. Imagine your cells smiling back at you and saying, ‘Thank you!’”

For me, feeding children is about more than putting a meal on the table. It's an opportunity to nourish their bodies, spark their curiosity, build lifelong skills and help them discover the joy of good food.

I’ve been at AACI for four years now. In the summer, I work with the summer camp program, while the rest of the time I work in Room 3, Older Toddlers.

I graduated from CCV with an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and am currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree at the University of Vermont. I’m also proud to hold a Level 3B on the Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder and am a 2021 graduate of AMHS.

In my spare time, I enjoy woodworking and spending time with my niece and nephew.

My name is Andrea Burdick, I have been working in childcare industry since I was a senior in High School. I am currently working on my associate's degree in ECE. I have earned a level 2 on the Vermont Early Education career ladder.

I am a mom to 3 grown children and a nana to 7 more! Being a mom and nana has been the most amazing experiences of my life.

It has been a dream of mine to lead an infant classroom and now I live my dream daily.

Hello, I’m Miss Elisa. I joined the Arlington Area Childcare team in November 2025. I used to work at Fisher Elementary School, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I received an Associate’s degree from the University of Hartford and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Franklin Pierce University. Although I always love watching children grow and learn, I initially chose not to follow in my father’s footsteps and become a teacher. However, after becoming a mother, my perspective changed, and I discovered that teaching was truly my calling.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and three boys. I am a big fan of baseball and softball and am an active member of the Arlington Youth Baseball League. I also love going on hikes with my three dogs. I am excited to meet new families and look forward to all the fun and meaningful experiences that I will have with the children in the classroom.

Hi everyone! My name is Miss Harmony, and I am the Lead UPK Teacher here at Arlington Area Childcare. I work closely with our team to support children’s growth and development as they prepare for kindergarten through a play-based, hands-on learning approach.

I am currently attending Vermont State University, where I am working toward my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education along with my teaching license. I also hold a Level 3A on the Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder and continue to engage in ongoing professional development to support high-quality early learning experiences.

Some of my favorite things to do with the children include helping them build independence through self-help skills and engaging in creative arts and crafts activities that support their imagination and development.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, watching TV, and reading.

Hi, my name is Miss Ciarra, and I’m from Bennington, VT. I have lived in North Carolina as well. I began working at AACI in December 2025. Before AACI, I worked with older teens in crisis. I decided to step back and return to working with younger children. I grew up in a home with a registered home childcare provider. I also worked at a federal childcare center on Camp Lejeune near Jacksonville, North Carolina. I have always loved working with children and helping them take the next step and learn new things.

I love to spend time at the beach with my husband and two children. I completed my Master’s Degree in Behavior Analysis from Capella University in June 2025. I plan to continue my education and gain supervision hours so I can become licensed in this field.

Cecille brings five years of experience in early childhood education to Arlington Area Childcare. She holds an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education and has achieved Level 3B on the Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder, reflecting her education, professional development, and commitment to the early childhood field.

“I love getting to know each child for who they are and creating a classroom where they feel safe, comfortable, and excited to learn. I believe children learn best when they feel supported and understood, and I strive to give them the space to explore, make choices, and grow at their own pace.

I place a strong emphasis on helping children develop independence, confidence, and self-regulation, while always being there to provide guidance, encouragement, and support when they need it. Building strong, trusting relationships with children is at the heart of my teaching philosophy, and I love being able to watch each child discover who they are and what they are capable of.”