When Marissa became a mother in March 2020, the world was shutting down. Her daughter, Hadley, was born the very week the Covid-19 lockdowns began—a time marked by fear, isolation, and uncertainty.
As a first-time mom navigating parenthood during a pandemic, Marissa initially planned to care for Hadley at home. But once she returned to work full-time, that plan quickly shifted. Finding childcare, however, proved to be a daunting challenge.
At first, she relied on a friend to help, but it soon became clear she needed a more consistent solution. Around the time Hadley turned four months old, Marissa began looking into childcare centers. Due to Covid restrictions, most weren’t allowing parents inside, which only added to her anxiety. The first center she visited left her feeling uneasy.
Then a coworker recommended Easterseals NH. The agency’s Early Childhood Centers of Excellence offer nationally accredited childcare for children of all abilities, providing a supportive environment where kids can play, learn, and interact in an inclusive setting.
From the moment she stepped in for a tour, Marissa felt a wave of relief. “The teachers were very nice and welcoming, and it just gave me a good feeling,” she said. “I ended up falling in love with the place. Being a first-time mom, it was reassuring to feel comfortable leaving my daughter with people who were either parents themselves or deeply passionate about their child development careers.”
Within two weeks, Hadley transitioned to attending childcare at Easterseals NH full-time. The teachers consistently challenged her with engaging activities beyond basic daycare as she grew. When Hadley experienced separation anxiety, they even made adjustments to help her feel safe and secure, at times taking her aside to help her settle in a quieter space. “They truly went above and beyond to ensure she was comfortable there,” Marissa said.
When her second daughter, Delaney, was born, Marissa briefly considered other childcare options because her family had been considering moving. But Easterseals NH had earned her trust, and she wasn’t willing to give that up.
The center’s staff regularly informed her about every detail of her children’s days. When concerns arose about Delaney’s gross motor skills, Easterseals NH quickly coordinated an evaluation with the Moore Center, making the process seamless for Marissa.
Being able to have Delaney evaluated on-site, during her typical day, saved Marissa the stress of juggling appointments during work hours. “They took care of everything—scheduling, communicating, even doing it right in the building,” Marissa explained. “It turned out she didn’t need services, but the fact that they noticed it and followed up was amazing.”
Technology has made it easier than ever for Marissa to stay involved in her daughters’ day-to-day experiences at the center. With the Procare app, she gets real-time updates from their teachers—everything from diaper changes and nap times to meals, learning highlights, and all the little moments in between. The app also supports two-way messaging, giving Marissa peace of mind and helping her maintain a strong connection with the teachers, even during busy workdays.
Although Marissa is sad that Hadley is about to age out of the center, she’s comforted by the confidence her oldest daughter has gained. Hadley is ready to begin kindergarten in the fall—excited rather than anxious—thanks to the teachers at Easterseals NH, who have helped nurture her independence.
Delaney will continue at the center until she turns five—and no matter where the family ends up moving, Marissa is committed to keeping her there. “I will go out of my way to leave earlier to make sure she comes here because I don’t want to send her anywhere else,” she said.
For Marissa, Easterseals NH has been more than just daycare—it’s been a place where her children received the care, support, and foundation they needed to thrive, a community for which she will always be grateful.
Learn more about Easterseals NH’s Early Childhood Services at eastersealsnh.org/programs/early-childhood-services.