Please click on the name below to explore the background and philosophy of each staff members and their contact details.

The Management Team provides leadership and organizational oversight under the guidance of the Executive Director.

The Infant Toddler Family Day Care of Northern Virginia, Inc. Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of Lisa Farinholt-O’Brien as its new Executive Director.  Lisa will begin her training and leadership succession in June 2022 and will take over fully from Wynne Busman in July 2022. Wynne is retiring in July after serving as the Executive Director since 2011.

Lisa Farinholt-O’Brien has been the Workforce Development Director at Infant Toddler Family Day Care (ITFDC) for over 16 years and has over 20 years of experience within the organization.  Her combination of experience in early childhood education and as a social worker gives her the skills needed to work with the diverse population at ITFDC.  Lisa has worked extensively with each new family child care educator by guiding them through the process to open their family child care home.  Lisa’s training and experience includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from Longwood University and a MSW degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2009 Lisa became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has a variety of experiences working with children of all abilities including working as an intern at Key Center (Fairfax County Schools). In addition, she spent four years working in residence life as an administrator at Longwood University and George Mason University and also worked as a counselor at Planned Parenthood.

“This opportunity to follow in the footsteps of all three previous Executive Directors is an honor.  I learned so much from each of them and will keep all of that close as I guide our dedicated staff in their work with our family child care educators and the families they serve.  I look forward to keeping our traditions and starting new ones.”

Under Ms. Busman’s leadership the organization built on its strengths, developed new relationships and strengthened existing relationships with partners and supporters. Infant Toddler anticipates that Ms. Farinholt-O’Brien will leverage these achievements to help the organization expand its services in the Northern Virginia community.

From the ITFDC Board Chairperson, Christel Gopin: “We are very excited to have Lisa taking on the role of the Executive Director of Infant Toddler Family Day Care working to provide high quality child care in Northern Virginia.  She brings experience, enthusiasm, passion for the mission, and great communication skills to the organization. Her long history with Infant Toddler brings consistency and continuity for our staff, family child care educators, children and families.”

Infant Toddler Family Day Care is a network of professional child care educators with a commitment to the principle that learning begins at birth.  We support the emotional, social and intellectual development of infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children in safe, nurturing high-quality child care environments.

Priscilla joined ITFDC in July 2009 as a Child Care Specialist and has provided direct assistance to family day care homes and children for 13 years. Priscilla also has a social work background, including ten years of prior experience helping parents work through some of life’s many challenges. Priscilla is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Simmons College in Boston and a Bachelor’s in Family Studies and Early Childhood Development from UNH. Before ITFDC, Priscilla worked for five years as a program manager for a non-profit social service agency in Fairfax. Prior to that, Priscilla had lived in Boston, working at a family shelter for five years with responsibilities including individual counseling with the residents and overseeing the shelter’s on-site Children’s Center.

Staff

Hello, my name is Melinda Higbee. I joined Infant Toddler Family Day Care in 2014 as the Executive Assistant to our Director. I earned my BS degree in Business Administration from Strayer University.  Prior to joining ITFDC, I worked as a Legal Executive Assistant in a large corporation and now have over 25 years’ experience as an Executive Assistant.  Other areas I’ve especially enjoyed working in include my role as a Sunday school teacher, YMCA camp counselor and as a Girl Scout Leader. I am the proud mom of two girls whom I have raised.  I remember how important it is to choose child care that is the best fit for your family but most importantly, for your child, treating them with love, respect, guidance and patience.  I am very happy now to be working with ITFDC.  I look forward to meeting you and your child and answering any questions that you may have.  Please feel free to contact me.  I can be reached Monday through Friday at 703-352-3449 x105, or by email at mhigbee@infanttoddler.com

Hi! My name is Marwa Abuagla and I am the Program Assistant at ITFDC. I am the mother of three young children who keep me super busy. I graduated from George Mason University in 2007 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science. My work background is in Administration and HR. I also worked as an IT Instructor to school age children in an afterschool program throughout Fairfax County. I know that finding the right care for your child is important no matter what age your child is. It truly takes a village.  I am very happy to join ITFDC and be able to assist you in finding the right care that you and your family deserve!

Please reach out to me should you have any questions or concerns at the office, 703-352-3449 x113 or by email, mabuagla@infanttoddler.com. I am here to put your mind at ease!

Hi! My name is Jasmine Tsui and I am the Administrative Assistant at ITFDC. I am a recent graduate from George Mason University where I received a bachelor’s degree in business and a concentration in management information systems. I’ve worked in many roles throughout college, from teaching to customer service to IT related positions. For many of you, I will be your first point of contact when it comes to childcare applications or when you call the office. I am excited to work with families to make sure they receive the right care that works best for them! Please feel free to contact me at 703-352-3449 x 100 or by email, jtsui@infanttoddler.com and I look forward to answering any questions that you may have!

Hi! My name is Kia Pearce and I am your Administrative Support Specialist at ITFDC! I was raised in Arlington, Virginia and have remained local ever since. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Healthcare Management and have started courses in Human Resources. I have an amazing 8-year-old daughter whose energy is unmatched! I have worked on 3 different Military installations at the Child Development Centers, working closely with parents in search of childcare for their little ones. I understand the importance of finding safe, secure and high-quality care for our children and creating lasting and meaningful relationships with the families and providers to enable our children to thrive! I look forward to answering any questions you have. I can be reach at 703-352-3449 x123 or by email, kpearce@infanttoddler.com

The ITFDC Home Day Care Program

Hello, my name is Clarissa Kolodzinski and I am your Child Care Specialist at Infant Toddler Family Day Care. I am originally from Brazil where I was an English as Second Language Instructor at the Community Development Program, teaching English to young children from less fortunate communities. I arrived in the US in 2005 in the Au Pair Program. I cared for two young children and lived with an American host family. During this time, I acquired my Master’s Degree in Education Management. Before joining ITFDC, I worked as an Early Childhood Educator at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia. I love being around children and creating relationships with parents. I understand the importance of choosing the right child care home. I am available for providers and families to help them ensure that all children receive safe, high-quality child care.

I am here for you! Please feel free to contact me at the office, 703-352-3449 x109, or by email, ckolodzinski@infanttoddler.com. I look forward to meeting your child!

Hi! My name is Aneesa Zarzis and I am a Child Care Specialist at ITFDC. I am a George Mason University alumni with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a concentration in Developmental Psychology. I’ve worked for almost three years as an ABA therapist and I also have some experience with Administration as well as Sales. I am excited to use this position to interface directly between child care providers and the families we serve to make sure we achieve our ultimate goal: assuring your children receive proper care. To reach me you can call my office line, 703 352 3449 x 103 or by email, azarzis@infanttoddler.com. I look forward to working with you!

Hi, my name is Jinky Recerone and I am your Virginia Quality/Curriculum/USDA/Child Care Specialist at Infant Toddler Family Day Care. My training and experience includes a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science with focus in Health Systems Management and a minor in Nutrition. I am working to finish Master’s in Early Childhood Development. I am a proud mother of an athletic girl who excels in figure skating and gymnastics. I was a child care provider at Infant Toddler Family Day care since 2009 until the end of June 2018. I enjoyed my time as provider because I developed good and lasting relationships with all the children and families I served. It was a very humbling and most rewarding experience of my life to watch an infant grow into a confident toddler. It is always my passion to nurture and serve. Also, I am currently engaged in volunteering as an assistant teacher at St Joseph’s Sunday school.

As a Virginia Quality/Curriculum/USDA Specialist, I am here to assist providers to set up a developmentally appropriate, healthy and safe childcare environment. I will also be our providers’ technical assistant so we can achieve the goals of Virginia Quality together.

I am here for you! Please feel free to contact me at the office, 703-352-3449 extension 106 or by email, jrecerone@infanttoddler.com. I look forward to serve you.

The USDA Child Care Food Program

My name is Marisela Morales, I have a Bilingual Secretary degree from Mexico. I  started as an Administrative Assistant in 2003, and became the USDA Program Manager in 2008. I help providers participate in the USDA Child Care and Adult Food Program and provide training to providers concerning meal patterns for infants and toddlers and program claim procedures. I also give technical assistance concerning the subsidy program. For many years I have  supported providers working on their Early Childhood Education Infant and Toddler Certificate at NVCC by helping them enroll in college classes, obtain scholarships and apply for graduation. I help support providers, staff and parents as needed.

I look forward to working with providers and families in my role as the CACFP-USDA Program Administrator. Please feel free to contact me at the office, 703-352-3449 extension 107 or by email, mmorales@itfdc.com I am here to assist you with any questions that you may have!

My name is Jennifer Burleson. I am a USDA Monitor/Office-Events Assistant with ITFDC and have my Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice/ Emergency Management.

I am the mother of 5 wonderful children, 4 sons and 1 daughter, now all young adults.

Prior to joining ITFDC, I worked for many years as a Personal Care Manager for a Home Health provider; assessing patient environments and individual needs prior to as well as throughout their care. I managed a field-staff of various Home Health professionals (CNA’s, HHA’s, Companions, Nursing staff) for the Department and was the POC for all time-management and payroll processing tasks/inquiries.

I have always enjoyed meeting and interacting with new people, in my opinion, every situation provides the opportunity to learn and grow.

I look forward to meeting you and answering any questions that you may have.  Please feel free to contact me at 703-352-3449 x 110, or by email at jburleson@infanttoddler.com