Our Owners
Salem Center Owners: Sam and Steven Nugent
Wonder Years has always been a very important part of Sam’s life. As a student for the first 5 years, volunteering in the classrooms as a young teenager, being her first (and only) job, and listening to and watching her parents own and operate such a successful business, she has learned more than she ever thought possible. Sam graduated from Rivier University with an Early Childhood Education and Business Degree.
Steven graduated from University of New Hampshire with a Business Management Degree. He works as a senior financial analyst. Steven and Sam are very eager to continue the Wonder Years legacy that Mike and Cheryl built over the last 25+ years.
Derry Center Owners: Alex & Maggie LaRosa
Alex and Maggie have always been passionate about working with kids. They met at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island through the education program and both earned a Bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education.
Maggie became the Kindergarten teacher at Wonder Years in 2015 and took on an administrative role shortly thereafter. Since then Maggie has become a certified Daycare Administrator as well as owner of Wonder Years Derry with her husband Alex.
Alex grew up at Wonder Years, watching his parents build the child care center from the ground up. After graduating college, he became a classroom teacher in Londonderry and earned his Master’s degree in Administration from Southern New Hampshire University. Alex came on board full time at Wonder Years in 2021. Together Alex and Maggie look to continue providing a high quality child care experience.
WONDER YEARS FOUNDERS
Mike and Cheryl LaRosa
Mike and Cheryl LaRosa owned and operated Wonder Years since 1996. It was always a dream for Cheryl to open her own child care center. They poured their hearts and souls into the company for over 25 years before passing it down to their children Alex and Sam. Keeping the company in the family was always a lifelong vision for them.