Amy Ameling
Executive Director
Amy has her BA in Early Childhood Elementary Education and Secondary Speech/Theater Education from Graceland University. With over 25 years working in the Early Childhood Education field, Amy came to Great Plays Daycare in 2020. Amy began the expansion and creation of Little Sprouts Children's Center in 2022 and Little Sprouts Student Center in 2023. Amy loves mentoring young educators, and serves as an Ambassador for the statewide TEACH and WAGE$ Programs. Amy and her wife share 5 adult children, 2 daughter in laws, and 1 son in law.
Monica Rittenberry
Children's Center Director
Monica is a graduate of NICC in Early Childhood Education and completed her National Administrators Credential. She has been with Little Sprouts since 2015. Monica provides thorough and heartfelt leadership to center operations and doubles as the lead teacher in our Wildflowers classroom. She is a doting Cat-Mom to Duchess and Willow and enjoys musicals.
Tracy Baker-Larson
Children's Center Assistant Director
Katy Khanthongdy
Children's Center Afternoon Supervisor
Katy has been working in early childhood education since 2019. She's had the joy of caring for children from infancy through five years old, and she truly loves helping little ones learn, grow, and feel safe and supported each day. She's currently pursuing an Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Education to continue building her knowledge and skills. She really values strong relationships with families and is always happy to answer questions, share daily updates, or chat during evening pick-up. When she's not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Donnie, and their two dogs, Rosie and Poppy.
Presley Kohlmeyer
Student Center Director
Presley is the Director of our Student Center location and has been part of the Little Sprouts team since 2017. She has completed her Child Development Associate certificate from NICC and her National Administrators Credential is working on her associates degree in early education. Presley enjoys leading our school-age program and doubles as the lead teacher of the FireFlies classroom. She is a loving dog-mom to Stormi and is also our biggest country music fan!
Kathy Speicher
Student Center Morning Supervisor/CACFP Director
Kathy has been opening the center, and cooking the meals and snacks since 2018. Kathy has an excellent rapport with the Caregivers and utilizes that skill as Admin/Caregiver liaison. Kathy is a farm-wife, mother of 2 grown children, and enjoys spoiling her 4 grand-babies.
Destiny Hoskins
Student Center Assistant Director
Destiny is the assistant director and 3-4 lead caregiver for our student center site. She is passionate about building strong, trusting relationships with the children and families and believes every child learns best through play in a safe, supported, and valued environment. Destiny enjoys guiding children as they develop independence, confidence, and positive social skills through play-based learning and daily routine. She has her Child Development Associate certificate and is currently working towards her associates degree in early education. She and her husband Drew are loving cat parents and are local to the New Hampton area.
Nicole Rethamel
Student Center Afternoon Supervisor
Nicole started in 2025 at the Student Center. She has a Bachelors degree in Business Administration with Management but has had a lifelong love of teaching children. She is currently going back to school for a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education. If you don’t find her at the daycare you will see her working as a Substitute Paraeducator at the Elementary School. She is married and her and her husband have 4 children.