Mercedes delivering her keynote address at the All Our Kin Conference, November 16, 2024.
A QUALITYstarsNY participant since January 2024, Mercedes has operated Xiomara Family Daycare in the Bronx since 2004, providing care for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children.
When Mercedes opened her daycare 21 years ago, she knew it was her calling to provide care for children in her community. Her husband bought her a house and made her vision a reality, naming the daycare after their daughter, Xiomara. In 2019, Mercedes’ husband tragically passed away. Though she grieved tremendously, she continued to provide care for the children in her community as COVID-19 was sweeping through the country. She continues to provide this care, and recently became NAFCC accredited, as well as a QUALITYstarsNY participant.
Mercedes has an undeniable bond with the first child she ever cared for. When he graduated college, he dedicated his degree to Mercedes, honoring her for the incredible positive impact she made on his life. This connection is just one example of the lifelong effect child care professionals can have on the children in their care, helping set them up for future success.
In November, Mercedes was the keynote speaker at the All Our Kin Conference, a national non-profit based in Connecticut that trains and supports family child care providers. She spoke passionately and shared her story, urging providers to recognize that they are educators and professionals who are incredibly important to their community and children.
QUALITYstarsNY is proud to support Mercedes and hundreds of family child care caregivers like her who have dedicated themselves to providing high-quality early care and education to the children in their communities. Congrats, Mercedes!
