Saida Dadi-Mehmetaj, MS, PhD

Co-Founder, Director

Saida is a proud parent of two lovely children and the founder of Little Eagles Nest, a daycare center located in Ardsley, Westchester. She started the daycare out of necessity for her own children, as she could not find a daycare in the surrounding area that met all the essential needs she desired, including good nutrition, spacious and bright environment, inclusive atmosphere, customized curriculums, Montessori-influenced teaching, no screen time, and a large play area with plenty of outdoor activities.

As a working mom herself and a PhD Scientist by trade, Saida understands the challenges parents face when looking for high-quality daycare, especially during these times. When the pandemic hit, Saida and her husband had to juggle between watching and educating their children and their careers simultaneously. They decided to create the best possible daycare experience for their children from scratch, resulting in the birth of Little Eagles Nest, which offers infant care, pre-K programs, and more. Little Eagles Nest’s main goal is to provide a safe, loving, nurturing, and comfortable environment for children. The daycare is equipped with meticulously planned facility to provide high-quality care for the children they serve.

Saida and her highly qualified team of teachers have read various books, taken numerous classes, and are dedicated to providing an encouraging environment in which children can learn and grow. Little Eagles Nest’s programs include infant care, toddler programs, pre-K programs, Montessori-influenced teaching, outdoor activities, and more. The daycare center offers customized curriculums that are designed to meet the specific needs of each child. She heavily encourages outdoor activities, socialization, and creativity. The daycares spacious and bright environment provides children with ample room to play, learn, and grow. If you are looking for a high-quality daycare center in Ardsley, Westchester, Little Eagles Nest is the perfect choice. Saida and her team are committed to providing the best possible care for your child, so you can have peace of mind while you work.

Nick Mehmetaj

Co-Founder, Director of Operations

Nick Mehmetaj is a highly experienced business entrepreneur with a diverse management background in both the IT and hospitality industry. With a proven track record of founding and co-founding successful companies such as PrintGrade.com, Seractive.com, and startups like LovetheseCities.com, Nick has become known for his ability to turn ideas into something valuable for people and businesses alike.

With his hospitality experience as a Concierge at the Crosby Street Hotel, Manager at Quintessentially handling 30 accounts and as the VIP manager at Casa Cipriani has given him a unique perspective on the importance of genuine customer service and satisfaction. He has always been dedicated to providing the highest level of care to his customers, which has been reflected in the success of his businesses. However, Nick’s most rewarding experience has been co-founding Little Eagles Nest Daycare. With a passion for creating something that could truly help families in need of high-quality care, Nick used his experience in starting companies from scratch and managing large teams to build a daycare business that has continued to thrive and grow. Nick’s dedication to creating a safe and nurturing environment for children and parents alike has set Little Eagles Nest apart from its competitors.

His ability to manage the business in a way that it can run itself while continuously advancing its quality is a testament to his entrepreneurial skills and leadership ability. In addition to Nick’s passion for creating a safe and nurturing environment for children, he also has a deep love for watching them thrive and grow. He is fascinated by their ability to be amazed by their surroundings and let their imaginations run free. Nick believes that there is so much we can learn from children and their unique perspectives on the world. Operating Little Eagles Nest has been the passion project of Nick’s life. He has poured his heart and soul into creating a daycare business that not only provides high-quality care but also fosters a love of learning and growth in the children who attend. Nick believes that every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential and he has made it his mission to provide that opportunity through Little Eagles Nest. Watching the children at Little Eagles Nest grow and learn has been a source of great joy and fulfillment for Nick.

Overall, he takes pride in knowing that he has played a role in helping them develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the early education field. For Nick, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the positive impact that Little Eagles Nest has had on the lives of the children and families it serves. He is actively working on expanding Little Eagles nest to multiple locations in the near future.

Ardiana Shala, BS

Staff Manager, Lead Teacher

With more than 8 years of expertise in the field of early childhood education, Ardiana Shala is an accomplished lead teacher at Little Eagles Nest. She has a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education and is presently finishing up her Master’s in the same subject. Ardiana’s dedication to continuing learning is evidenced by her participation in numerous workshops offered by the Westchester Child Care Council and Aspire, which have assisted her in staying current with the most recent findings and industry best practices.
Ardiana’s dedication to the education of young children is evident in her methods of instruction. Children can explore and learn in a safe, welcoming environment that she has created for them. Her capacity to relate to kids and comprehend their particular needs, interests, and learning styles has been honed through years of experience working with young children that she genuinely loves.

Ardiana uses our carefully prepared curriculum with developmentally appropriate activities that foster children’s cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. She uses positive reinforcement techniques to encourage children’s positive behavior and self-regulation. Ardiana also maintains open and positive communication with parents to keep them informed about their child’s progress and ensure that their needs and concerns are addressed. Her passion for teaching and her commitment to ongoing professional development make her an asset to your daycare center and a trusted resource for parents.