Meet Our Team

The people you’ll see at drop-off every morning.

Little Sprouts is family-owned. We’re not a franchise, and we’re not a corporate chain. When you walk into our centers, the same people greet you, year after year. Our directors, coordinators, and lead teachers come to work with deep early-childhood experience, a real love of what they do, and the freedom to teach the way young children actually learn. Get to know them below.

THE OWNERS

Family-owned, family-run.

Debbie founded Little Sprouts in November 2015. Chris joined the leadership side as we grew. The three Papadeas children have all come through these classrooms.

Debbie Papadeas

Debbie Papadeas

Co-owner and Founder

My name is Debbie Papadeas. I attended Temple University and graduated with a BA in Psychology with a focus in developmental psychology. After college I worked at The Goddard School of Newtown for several years, then served as a paraprofessional supporting an individual with special needs.

I knew I wanted to create a place where children could grow up safe, cared for, and loved. A place where the staff had the freedom to use their creativity to teach. A place where every enrolling family felt like part of ours. That place became Little Sprouts Learning Center. We opened our doors in November 2015, and what started with three staff members caring for their own children has grown into two campuses serving families across Montgomery County.

We’re not cookie-cutter, and we’re not big-box franchise care. We’re privately owned, family-run, and we’re here for every individual child and family in the building. Chris and I have three children of our own. All three have come through Little Sprouts.

Chris Papadeas

Chris Papadeas

Co-owner

Hi, I’m Chris Papadeas, co-owner of Little Sprouts Learning Center with my wife Debbie. Together we opened our doors in November 2015 with three staff members and a small group of children, and from day one our goal has been the same: build a school that feels like family, where every child is genuinely known and every parent feels welcomed.

Over the past decade we have grown from one center to three buildings across North Wales and Collegeville, but the heart of who we are has not changed. We are still privately owned and operated. We are still here every day. And we still believe that the best childcare comes from a team that has the freedom to be creative, the support to grow professionally, and the time to truly know your child.

My focus is on the long-term health of the school: investing back into our buildings, supporting our teachers’ education and growth, and making sure the experience your family has with us is one you would happily recommend to a friend. Debbie and I are both parents ourselves, and we hold our schools to the same standard we would want for our own children.

CROSS-LOCATION LEADERSHIP

Across all campuses.

Two people who work across all three of our buildings. Enrollment, onboarding, and the first few weeks of family life at Little Sprouts.

Jess Kellner

Jess Kellner

Enrollment and Admissions Director

Hello, my name is Jess. I am the enrollment specialist at Little Sprouts Learning Center. I graduated high school from North Penn High School in 2006. I have been at Little Sprouts for over 5 years now and have been in the childcare field since graduating in 2006. I am currently enrolled at Montgomery County Community College to earn my associate’s degree.

In my free time I enjoy traveling to new places in our RV and going to different types of racing events. I look forward to getting to meeting and creating relationships with you.

Jennifer Cohen

Jennifer Cohen

Onboarding Specialist

Jennifer Cohen, I am the onboarding specialist at Little Sprouts Learning Center. I have been married for 20 years, have 4 children and 3 beautiful grandchildren. I enjoy spending time with my family and watching my girls play softball.

I have over 20 years experience with children, 8 years in childcare facilities, 5 years being with Little Sprouts. I have my CDA, and I love working with children and helping them grow and learn to their full potential.

NORTH WALES CAMPUS

Our North Wales team.

Our North Wales campus has two buildings two minutes apart on Sumneytown Pike and Church Road. One campus, one license group, one leadership team, working out of two locations to give families more flexibility and us more room to grow.

Jessica Greener

Jessica Greener

Academic Coordinator and Office Manager, Sumneytown Pike

Hi, my name is Jessica Greener, and I am the education coordinator for Little Sprouts along with being an Office Manager at our Sumneytown Pike location. I have been with Little Sprouts since they first opened their doors now nine years ago. Throughout my years here at Little Sprouts I have worked teaching in all the classrooms and have also worked to plan several of the school’s activities and events.

Before Little Sprouts, I attended Penn State University where I earned credits in education, human development and psychology. After college I got married and had two children of my own who were among the first to attend Little Sprouts. I look forward to getting to know each child and family and welcoming them into our Little Sprouts Family!

Destiny Bezanis

Destiny Bezanis

Assistant Director, Sumneytown Pike

Hello, my name is Destiny Bezanis, and I have been with Little Sprouts for about six years. In my time working here, I have had the opportunity to work and teach in every classroom. I am now one of the Office Managers at our Sumneytown Pike Location!

This past Spring of 2024, I graduated from Cabrini University with my bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. I enjoy using my schooling and education to help the teachers in our building and to help your children learn and grow! It has always been my passion to work with children and to help them all succeed and be the best that they can be, and I am so excited to greet you all.

Haley Povemba

Haley Povemba

Co-Assistant Director, Church Road

Hi everyone, I’m Haley Povemba. I’ve been part of the Little Sprouts family for five years. What started as my first job in childcare turned into a career, and I now support our staff and families day to day. I also run our social media so parents can see what their kids are up to.

While I’ve been here, I earned my Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Working at Little Sprouts has taught me a lot, in and out of the classroom.

The best part of my job is the kids. Whether it’s a first word, a new milestone, or just a big smile at drop-off, I get to see those moments every day. Watching them grow is what keeps me coming back.

Outside of work, I’m with my family, and I’ll admit a little retail therapy is good for the soul.

Marissa Cramer

Marissa Cramer

Co-Assistant Director, Church Road

I am so excited to join The Little Sprouts Community! I bring nearly a decade of experience in early childhood education, having worked with children of all ages. I hold an associate’s degree in early childhood education from Montgomery County Community College. I am passionate about creating safe, nurturing, engaging environments and supporting both children and families! I especially enjoy incorporating hands-on, play-based learning experiences that encourage curiosity, creativity, and confidence in young learners.

As a mother of two myself, I understand the importance of trust, communication, and quality care. I am dedicated to fostering a positive, safe, and enriching space where every child can learn, grow and feel valued. I look forward to building strong connections with the children and families at Little Sprouts!

COLLEGEVILLE CAMPUS

Our Collegeville team.

Our Collegeville campus is on 2nd Avenue. It’s our second campus, with its own director and leadership team. If you live closer to Collegeville than to North Wales, this is your home center.

Lori Kerney

Lori Kerney

Director, Collegeville

My name is Lori Kerney and I look forward to meeting you and to welcoming you to Little Sprouts Learning Center in Collegeville. I have worked for Little Sprouts for the past several years and was part of opening the first center in North Wales. I am the mother of six children and three grandchildren.

I have earned an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from MCCC, a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education/Elementary Education with Teacher Certification from Gwynedd-Mercy University, as well as Master’s credits in Early Education from Clarion University of PA. I hold a current Director’s Credential in Pennsylvania. My educational background and experience have equipped me to create engaging and nurturing environments that foster curiosity and learning. I prioritize building strong relationships with children and families and staying informed about the latest research and best practices in early childhood education. I am dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of children and their families every day.

My goal is that the families at Little Sprouts know that their children are getting excellent care, having fun, and learning and growing every day. It is my hope that parents are as comfortable leaving their children here at Little Sprouts as they are leaving them with family. Please don’t hesitate to reach out! I look forward to connecting with you!

Nicole Fiorentine, Assistant Director, Little Sprouts Collegeville

Nicole Fiorentine

Assistant Director, Collegeville

Thanks for checking out Little Sprouts Collegeville! My name is Nicole and I am the assistant director here. I have over 15 years of experience working with children. From teaching in daycares and schools, babysitting, and even being a career nanny, every job has given me the right amount of experience and skills to be in this role today. I also am educated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education from The University of Valley Forge and continue to accomplish additional trainings.

In addition to my education background, I also have three kids of my own (with my youngest in the Young Toddler class here)! In my free time, you can find me almost always spending time with my kids, and taking them on adventures that are spontaneous. I also enjoy home decorating, planning parties, and fostering animals.

OUR STANDARDS

Standards above what Pennsylvania requires.

The full leadership team supports a teaching staff that holds to standards above and beyond what the state requires.

  • 30 hours of professional development per year for our teachers. More than double Pennsylvania’s requirement of 12.
  • Daily mentorship, training, and oversight from our directors and leadership team in every classroom.
  • Experienced lead teachers and assistants in every classroom, who know your child by name from the first week.

Ready to meet us in person?

A tour is the best way to see if Little Sprouts is the right fit for your family. Choose the campus closer to home, and we’ll show you around.