Opening Fall 2026 - sign up to receive notification when Enrollment starts
Meet OUr Director - Lori Smith
Welcome our new Executive Director
Caring Hearts Childcare Center is pleased to welcome Lori Smith as our founding Director.
With more than 25 years of experience in early childhood education, Lori brings a deep commitment to nurturing children, supporting families, and building strong, relationship-centered learning environments.
Lori began her career by opening a family childcare program in her home while raising her own children. After many years caring for infants, toddlers, and school-age children, she joined Cathance Children’s Center in Bowdoin as an Assistant Teacher in 2013 and later became Director in 2018.
Following several years away — including time spent as a nanny for a local Falmouth family and helping care for her granddaughter — Lori returned to Cathance in 2024 after being invited back into the Director role.
Lori holds the Maine Director Credential and a Preschool CDA and is currently working toward an Inclusion Credential. She also received the FHC Pinnacle Award in recognition of her leadership, teamwork, and commitment to organizational values.
Lori was drawn to Caring Hearts because of its mission and the opportunity to help create a nonprofit childcare center built around community, connection, and whole-child care.
“I believe the most important thing about caring for children is nurturing a relationship where they feel they can be 100% themselves,” Lori says. “Taking the time to build trust allows children to explore freely, build resiliency, and form meaningful relationships.”
Lori believes quality childcare means supporting the whole child — socially, emotionally, cognitively, and physically — while also building strong partnerships with families through open communication and mutual trust.
As Caring Hearts prepares to open, Lori hopes to create a culture where children feel loved, families feel supported, and staff feel valued.