Administrators & Teachers
We the owners, administrators, and teachers of Heidi’s House provide a safe, nurturing, and educational environment that promotes the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and creative development of young children.
Owner and Manager
Heidi MacAllister McDonald
Heidi MacAllister McDonald is the owner and manager of Heidi’s House Childcare Center. Heidi graduated from the University of Maine in Presque Isle in 1979 where she received a bachelor of arts degree. Her major was Psychology and her minor was Special Education. She also attended the University of Southern Maine in Gorham from 1981-1985 where she earned Teaching Certification in K-8 and Special Education. In May of 1998, Heidi completed her master’s degree in Adult Education with a concentration in Training Development at the University of Southern Maine. She has owned and operated Heidi’s House since it first opened in August of 1988. Currently, her position at Heidi’s House is owner and manager. This position requires her to handle all financial decisions, long-range planning, continued development of curriculum, supervision of management staff, consulting with parents when needed, and, most importantly, staff development and training.
program Director
Sara Perrigo
Sara Perrigo is responsible for the daily operations of the center which includes supervision of all staff, programs, curriculum, state regulations and NAEYC standards. She has been a full-time employee at Heidi’s House since May of 1996. In May of 2000, she completed her bachelor of arts degree in Sociology at the University of Southern Maine. She received her Master’s Degree at Wheelock College for Leadership and Policy in Early Childhood Education in August of 2011. Sara’s contribution to Heidi’s House is extensive and impacts the quality of the daily programs delivered to children and families.
program Director
Will Newburn
Will Newburn grew up in Dublin, Ireland and has a Diploma in Music Teaching and Performance from the Royal Irish Academy of Music and a Diploma in Web Design from Dublin Business School. He joined the staff at Heidi's House in 2007 as a Preschool Teacher later becoming the Preschool Head Teacher. As Co-Director he supervises and supports staff, oversees enrollment, our marketing and advertising, website and social media as well as our IT demands - inside and outside the classroom.
Assistant Director/
PRESCHOOL HEAD TEACHER
Beth Gagnon
Beth Gagnon grew up in Massachusetts and received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Eastern Nazarene College in 1989. She joined the staff of Heidi's House in 2006 as a toddler teacher. She has taught in transitional preschool, as well as preschool, since then. Spending time with multiple age groups gives her perspective to support teachers and classrooms, and to keep the curriculum consistent and challenging across the center. As Preschool Head Teacher she supervises and supports the Preschool Teachers. Her role as Assistant Director allows her to work closely with Will and Sara to meet the needs of the entire center.
Email: beth@heidishousechildcare.com
Infant & Toddler Head Teacher
Lisa Williams
Lisa has known from a very young age that she was born to work with children. After graduating from Plymouth State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Childhood Studies she jumped right into the childcare field. She came to Heidi’s House in September of 2014 and taught preschool for three years. After preschool she began floating around the building allowing herself to spend time in all of the classrooms, with a focus on infants and creepers. While Lisa still loves to be in the classroom as much as possible, she enjoys the responsibilities and challenges of supervising and supporting the teaching staff on a daily basis.
Administrative Support
Amy Boucher
Amy first began at Heidi's House as a parent, when her youngest daughter started preschool in 2011. Shortly after Amy began teaching in the Tykes classroom. Amy has her undergraduate degree in Business Administration and in 2001 she received her Masters of Teaching and Learning from the University of Southern Maine. Prior to working at Heidi's House, Amy taught various grades at the elementary level. Amy has spent time in all of Heidi's House Infant and Toddler classrooms since 2011. Amy truly enjoys the balance of being in the classrooms working with children as well as supporting the teaching and administrative staff.
Email: amy@heidishousechildcare.com