Who we are and what we stand for
About Little FootPrints
Little FootPrints has served the Hatch community for more than twenty five years with a warm and nurturing approach to early learning. What began as a mother’s search for dependable childcare has grown into a trusted center where every child is welcomed, valued, and encouraged to thrive.
From one mother’s search to a trusted center
Where Our Story Starts
Little FootPrints grew from a mother’s search for dependable and caring childcare. After struggling to find a place that met the level of care she believed every child deserved, founder Maira Guerrero began studying Early Childhood Education and opened her own home program. What started in her home grew into a trusted childcare center serving the Hatch community.
As a former field worker, Maira understood the challenges local families faced, especially the need for reliable and accessible childcare. Driven by this need, she opened Little FootPrints in Hatch NM, creating a safe and caring place where children could learn, explore, and feel supported.
More than twenty five years later, Little FootPrints continues to carry out Maira’s vision. Today the center remains family owned and is known for providing high quality childcare, preschool, PreK, and school age programs that help children grow with confidence.
The foundation of Little FootPrints
Our Mission and Core Values
Little FootPrints is guided by a mission to provide a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment where every child feels valued and supported. Our core values shape every part of our day.
Quality Care
We believe children deserve attentive care, developmentally appropriate practices, and genuine warmth.
Safety and Trust
A secure and welcoming space helps children feel comfortable exploring and learning.
Respect for Each Child
Every child is unique. We honor each individual’s strengths and support their growth at their own pace.
Family Partnership
We work closely with families through open communication and collaboration. Strong relationships help children succeed.
Lifelong Learning
Curiosity and exploration guide our approach. Children learn through hands on experiences that support cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.
Shaped by early learning practices
Our Approach
Children learn best when they feel safe, encouraged, and free to explore. Our approach blends play, hands on experiences, and strong relationships so learning feels joyful and meaningful.
We use developmentally appropriate practices to meet children where they are and help them grow at their own pace. Daily activities include open ended play, curiosity driven learning, simple problem solving, and opportunities to build communication and social skills.
Social emotional development is a key part of our day. Children learn how to express feelings, work with others, and build healthy relationships. Our goal is to help each child grow with confidence and curiosity.
The environment we create
What Makes Our Classrooms Unique
Our classrooms are warm, welcoming spaces designed to spark curiosity. Children feel comfortable being themselves, asking questions, and exploring new ideas.
Routine Meets Creativity
Daily routines give children structure and confidence while still allowing plenty of choice, creativity, and discovery. We believe in a balanced approach where predictability creates a safe harbor for imagination to run wild.
Intentional Learning
Every day is planned with learning in mind, making each moment engaging, meaningful, and supportive.
Rooted in Community & Culture
Teachers build strong relationships with each child and often incorporate elements from the Hatch community and family culture to help children feel connected and valued. We don’t just teach children; we celebrate who they are and where they come from.
A dedicated team
Compassion Meet Expertise
Our team is made up of passionate and caring individuals who truly enjoy working with children. They bring creativity, patience, and positive energy into the classroom and work hard to create meaningful learning experiences each day.
All teachers are trained in Early Childhood Education and continue building their skills to provide the best care possible. Their dedication is one of the reasons families feel confident and supported at Little FootPrints.