Nurtury Early Education believes every child deserves affordable, high-quality care. Founded in 1878 as New England’s first early education agency, it now serves over 1,200 children through center-based programs and a family childcare (FCC) network established in 1982, supporting 900+ children annually with flexible, community-based care.  

Enrollment is dynamic and responsive to family needs. Each year, about 300 children transition in and out—many graduating in August, with new faces joining in September. Through every change, Nurtury stays true to its vision: all children—regardless of background—can learn, grow, and thrive. 

This FCC network is a living system of support and collaboration. From leadership shaping strategy, to coordinators guiding families through enrollment, to specialists visiting educators’ homes—and most importantly, the educators opening their doors and hearts—each role is essential. 

Nurtury Family Childcare Network Team: Nancy Sanchez, Quality Specialist; Mayra Rosado, VP of Business Development; Leslie Mateo, Enrollment Coordinator; and Cynthia Del Orbe, Regional Director.

As one of United Way’s 124 New Way Forward partners, Nurtury Early Education is an ally in advancing the family childcare (FCC) model. Together, we work to expand access, invest in innovation, and ensure the FCC model continues to grow as a pillar of early education. United Way’s Shared Services program partnered with Nurtury and trained their staff on its Licensing Support Program curriculum, equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and resources to effectively guide new educators through the licensing process and ensure that they had the support necessary to confidently open a family childcare business. 

As a result, Nurtury successfully brought new educators into their system—expanding their provider network, increasing childcare capacity in the community, and strengthening the broader FCC infrastructure. The partnership established a sustainable model for growing and supporting the FCC workforce locally, with the potential for regional replication and scale. 
 

This blog shares the full-circle story through the voices of those who bring the FCC system to life every day. You’ll meet Mayra, Leslie, Nancy, Cynthia, and Fatima, whose work weaves a strong, compassionate system grounded in a shared belief in early education. 

Fourteen years ago, Mayra Rosado stepped into Nurtury’s Chelsea office for the first time, returning to the workforce after staying home with her daughter. Unsure of her career direction, she found purpose in working with families, offering the same support and compassion she once received.  

She didn’t expect to fall in love—with the work, the people, or the mission. Around the same time, her daughter entered a Nurtury-supported family childcare program. “The educator welcomed us like family,” Mayra recalled. “Seeing how much my daughter thrived... I knew I wanted to be part of that in any way I could.” 

Fourteen years ago, Mayra walked into Nurtury unsure of her next step returning to work as a new mom. Today, as VP of Business Development, she leads with heart—supporting families and educators to thrive, just like the care her own family once received.

Mayra’s own story is what grounds her work. Her daughter was diagnosed with autism at a young age. “I was overwhelmed,” Rosado said. “But our family educator was there every step of the way—helping with appointments, offering guidance. She took me in like I was her own daughter. That’s the kind of care and compassion you often find in family childcare.” 

It’s that deep trust and connection that Mayra believes defines family childcare—and why she continues to champion it today. 

Mayra Rosado has grown through several leadership roles—from Regional Director to Senior Director—and now serves as Vice President of Business Development. She oversees Nurtury’s FCC system, enrollment operations, and food program, while working closely with the Family Services team to connect families with vital resources like early intervention, special education, and basic needs. 

When she started, the Chelsea office supported just 35 educators. Today, Nurtury has 150 FCC educators across Boston and Chelsea—a reflection of steady, intentional growth. “The field is growing,” Rosado said. “Family childcare is increasingly seen as a viable business, with more support for educators through rate increases, professional development, and curriculum resources.”  

Still, challenges remain. A statewide freeze on childcare subsidies has made it harder for families to afford care and for educators to stay afloat. “Most of our families depend on subsidies. It’s incredibly difficult for them to afford full fees,” Rosado explained. “We’re careful not to bring on more educators than we can support.”  

Maintaining quality and equity is key. “We are currently self-capped at 150 educators,” Rosado said. “If we take on more and we can’t enroll children—which is their main source of income—we’d be doing those educators a disservice. We’d also be taking resources away from the educators who are already contracted with us.” 

Educators in the Nurtury Network come from all backgrounds, some new to the field, some from other agencies, and others who’ve operated independently. “Once they join us, we train and support them to be their best,” Rosado noted.  

For these educators, Nurtury is more than a network—it’s a lifeline. “Independent providers often juggle everything themselves: running a business, caring for children, managing compliance,” said Rosado. Nurtury eases that burden, providing program, operational, and professional guidance so educators can focus on what they do best—nurturing young children. 

What began as a personal journey for Mayra has grown into a mission to uplift others. Through her leadership, Nurtury ensures that family childcare remains a powerful, sustainable path for early education and economic opportunity. 

Five years ago, Leslie Mateo joined Nurtury—not just as a staff member, but as someone who deeply understood what it means to trust a caregiver with your child. 

Leslie Mateo knows the journey because she lived it—first as a Nurtury parent, now as an Enrollment Coordinator helping families navigate care and find the perfect fit. For her, it’s all about giving back to the community that once supported her.

Before becoming an Enrollment Coordinator, Leslie experienced Nurtury as a parent. Her daughter thrived in a family childcare program supported by the organization. “I just loved the family-oriented dynamic, and my daughter felt like part of her educator’s family,” said Mateo. “It was hard to leave.”  

That deep sense of belonging stayed with her. Though she first considered becoming an FCC educator, Leslie ultimately realized her passion was guiding other parents through the often-overwhelming process of finding care.  

She joined the team in 2019 and has since helped hundreds of families navigate Massachusetts’ childcare subsidy system—starting with the waitlist. “There are around 30,000 children statewide waiting for care,” she explains. “Most families we serve are high-need and can’t afford full cost. We step in to help.”  

Often the first point of contact, Leslie listens to each family’s story—whether they’re working, in school, or in transition, helps gather documents, explains the process, and connects them with trusted family childcare educators.  “I’m like the front of the house,” she says. “I know what spaces are open, the age groups educators serve, and I always tell families: ‘Visit them. If it doesn’t feel right, come back—we’ll find the right fit.” 

Over the years, she’s supported families from all walks of life, some experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, or other serious challenges. Leslie sees her role not just as administrative, but as a source of stability and trust. “Families need someone they can talk to, someone they can trust,” Mateo said. “Sometimes they come to me in tears. I’m proud that I can be there for them and help them access the care they need.” 

Her impact ripples outward: five parents she’s supported have gone on to open their own family childcare programs. “They believed in what we do and wanted to be part of it.” 

So, what keeps her going? 

“I know every child by name, their birthday, their story. I might not get to see their faces every day, but I carry them with me. It’s about giving back to the community that supported me—and helping families feel seen, supported, and safe,” said Mateo. 

Nancy Sanchez has been with Nurtury for over 25 years, working as a quality specialist with family childcare educators across Boston neighborhoods like Hyde Park and Dorchester. Nancy visits homes in neighborhoods like Hyde Park, Roslindale, and Dorchester to make sure educators are meeting licensing requirements. “I go into their homes to make sure they’re in compliance with EEC,” Nancy explains. “I check that emergency numbers are posted, evacuation plans are up-to-date, and that children’s records—including immunizations and physicals—are current. But that’s just one part of what we do.” 

With support from Nurtury and mentors like Nancy (left), Fatima (right) went from assistant to licensed provider, opening her own program, New Horizons. Today, she and her husband run two programs, raising children—and leaders—right in their community.

What really keeps Nancy going after more than two decades in the field isn’t just compliance—it's connection. “We're not there to tell them what's wrong. We’re there to help them reach their goals,” she says. Whether that means offering curriculum support, helping improve classroom environments, or guiding educators toward professional development opportunities, Nancy sees her role as a partner in progress. 

And the educators feel it. “They’re happy to see us,” she says with a smile. “It reminds them they’re not alone. We’re in this together.” 

Nancy briefly stepped away to work in another system but quickly returned. “I felt the difference right away. Nurtury is special. Here, we focus on what educators truly need.” 

She recalls one moment that affirmed she was exactly where she belonged: “There was an educator I worked with who had doubts about her program. She wasn’t sure she was doing things right, and she felt isolated. Over time, with consistent visits, guidance, and reassurance, her confidence grew. One day she told me, ‘I didn’t know I could do this until you helped me see that I already was.’ That’s the kind of impact that makes everything worth it.” 

For Nancy, it’s not just a job—it’s a purpose. “I love this work. I love visiting programs, seeing the children, and being someone they can count on. After all these years, I still feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.” 

When Cynthia Del Orbe moved from New York to Massachusetts, she hoped to continue her work in family childcare.  

Cynthia Del Orbe moved from New York to Massachusetts to follow her calling in family childcare. Now Regional Director at Nurtury, she’s all about supporting FCC educators and building community.

As Regional Director for Nurtury’s Boston office, Cynthia oversees a network of family childcare educators across Dorchester, Roslindale, Jamaica Plain, and surrounding areas. She plays a vital role in supporting these small, home-based educators. “Their roles are critical, and I’m here to make sure they succeed,” said Del Orbe. 

With deep roots in early education, she’s passionate about the difference family childcare makes. “I love family childcare,” Cynthia admits, smiling. “I know some lean toward center-based programs because it’s what they’re familiar with. Nurtury has both centers and FCC programs both offering quality care, but family childcare offers something deeply personal—one-on-one care, home-cooked meals, a nurturing environment that mirrors the warmth of a family.”  

She also credits Nurtury’s strong internal culture. “We’re a team, but we’re also a work family. Whether we’re planning a Mother's Day event or helping each other outside regular hours, the support is constant.” 

But even the most fulfilling work comes with challenges. Lately, Cynthia is facing a tough one: a growing number of newly licensed family childcare educators want to join Nurtury. The problem? Many families still lack access to childcare subsidies due to state and city budget constraints—making it impossible to bring in new providers. “There are children who need care, and educators ready to provide it. But without subsidies, we’re stuck,” she says. 

Still, Cynthia remains committed. Her passion for family childcare—and the community she’s built around it—is what keeps her going. “I always tell people: I’m still in Boston because of Nurtury.” 

When you step into Fatima’s family childcare program, you can feel it right away—this is more than a job to her. “This is my life. And it’s a beautiful one,” she says with conviction.  

Fatima Santana’s journey from industrial engineer to passionate family childcare provider is a powerful story of love, community, and dedication. Supported by Nurtury, she’s built a nurturing space where children and families thrive together.

Fatima Santana began her journey in early childhood education sixteen years ago, working as an assistant in her aunt’s program—also part of Nurtury. She had come to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic, where she was an industrial engineer. “Something very different from what I do now,” Santana laughs. But something shifted when she started taking classes at Urban College. She discovered she loved working with children, their curiosity, energy, and learning—and it felt right. By 2012, she opened her own program New Horizons. 

From the beginning, Nurtury was by her side. With support from Nancy, a long-time Nurtury coordinator, and staff like Leslie and Cynthia, Fatima transitioned from assistant to licensed provider. “Nancy was always checking in,” Santana says. “Not just on the paperwork, but on us—as people. That meant everything.” That sense of support gave Fatima the confidence to grow.   

Fatima continues to take classes at Urban College and has earned her Lead Teacher license. She even worked briefly in a Pre-K classroom to build her skills. “I wanted to understand more—how to get kids ready for Kindergarten,” Santana says. And her efforts pay off. One of her students arrived at school knowing how to write his full name. His teacher sent a note home, impressed and grateful. “She told his mom, ‘Send that to the daycare teacher.’ That made me feel like all our hard work mattered,” Santana recalls.  

Fatima puts her heart into every detail—from creating daily curriculum and documenting each child’s progress, to helping parents understand their children’s development. “We’re always communicating. I call Nancy, Nancy calls Leslie or Victoria—it’s a network of support. We follow up. We care. I don’t feel alone” 

Fatima also supports families. Some of the parents she once cared for are now childcare providers themselves, thanks to her encouragement and referrals. “There’s a chain now,” she says with pride. “We all help each other.” 

Running a business while raising two children hasn’t been easy. But Fatima and her husband—who now runs a second family childcare program called New Horizons 2—make it work. “He used to be my assistant, and the kids loved him even more than me,” she laughs. “Now, he teaches, and his mom is his assistant. We are all in this as a family.” 

Community support also plays a meaningful role in Fatima’s day-to-day work with children. Neighbors often show small but heartfelt gestures—like bringing $20 for ice cream or sharing apples from their tree—to support the children in her care. Even the local church contributes baskets of apples and toys. These acts of kindness reflect a deep sense of shared responsibility and care. “We are a family,” Santana says, describing how she embraces the children and their families as her own, carrying their joys and struggles as if they were hers. 

When asked what Nurtury means to her after all these years, she doesn’t hesitate: “It’s a brotherhood. A support system. More than anything, it’s family.” 

Fatima knows the work isn’t always recognized, but she’s determined to change that. “People don’t really know what family childcare is. I tell everyone—it takes love. If you don’t put love into it, it doesn’t work.” Through Nurtury’s support, Fatima didn’t just start a business, she built a life around helping others grow.  

These stories—rooted in lived experience, deep relationships, and daily care—are more than profiles. They’re a reminder that early education is built person by person, home by home. From Mayra’s leadership to Fatima’s nurturing classroom, each voice affirms a shared truth: family childcare is powerful, personal, and essential. And as long as there are children to nurture and educators to support, Nurtury will be there—every step of the way.