Nicole Johnson
Founder and Executive Director

Hi, My name is Nicole Johnson. Together with Melissa Juliano, I set up the Community Treehouse in 2019. I felt Bayfield needed a place where families could connect with their community in a fun and relaxing way. A place where parents could find support from their peers and kids could make new friends. I am originally from the Netherlands and moved to America when I was 16 years old. You might hear that accent once in a while. I have worked with children for over 30 years; but my true passion is supporting our parents. I was a preschool teacher in Italy as well as in California prior to moving to Durango and working as the Family Center of Durango coordinator from 1998-2006. I have been the program leader for the Tumbling Tots program at Sun Ute since 2007. I also love to teach infant massage. Bayfield has been my home for the last 20 years , where I live with my husband and my 13 year old daughter. Some of my favorite moments at the Treehouse are seeing parents exchange phone numbers, kids coming in the Treehouse so excited to see their friends , or parents working in the Parent lounge while their kiddos are playing in the Treehouse. It has been an amazing journey to build the Treehouse for Bayfield these past two years. WE have had some challenges through the pandamic but I feel our mission has become more clear. We are all working together to strengthen our community, one family at a time!

Lynden Miele assistant/coordinator

Lynden was born and raised in Virginia, and found Durango in 2010. Lynden moved here with her then husband, 2 year old son, William, and baby girl on the way (Adilyn). She married her current husband, Bobby, in August of 2017 and they welcomed their son, Cash, in June 2018. Lynden attended Fort Lewis College where she studied accounting, but always knew this wasn’t her passion. In March 2021, Lynden and her family became members at the Community Treehouse where they have jumped in feet first. Lynden is not only a board member, but volunteers with childcare and manages the social media. Volunteering and spending free-time at The Treehouse has reminded Lynden of her love to connect, help and care for others.

Ms. Renni kidcare provider

My name in Renni and I have been living in Bayfield for over 7 years now. Originally from South Dakota, I fell instantly in love with the mountains when I attended college at Fort Lewis. Years pass with many goals accomplished and I am now a Mama of 2 and enjoy staying home with my one year old while my 7 year old attends BPS. I enjoy working kid care to keep myself young at heart and to encourage active play with all the kiddies!

Ms. Suzie.
kidcare provider

I started babysitting at age 11 and absolutely love working with children! I home schooled my kids all the way through. I love to see kids learn new things & grow. It is a blessing & privilege to play with all the Tiny Darlings here at the Treehouse! Thank you for trusting me with your little ones.

Ms. Ginger kidcare provider

I started helping watch kiddos when I was a kiddo myself and lucky for me it bloomed into a career. I worked as a program director for the Albany YMCA in New York, I was also a TA in the Pre-K class there, which I loved. After moving to Colorado in 2015, I nannied for a family before starting my own and moving to Ignacio. We found the Treehouse and our lives are surely better for it. I love coming to work at the Treehouse and look forward to growing my family with the community. I started helping watch kiddos when I was a kiddo myself and lucky for me it bloomed into a career. I worked as a program director for the Albany YMCA in New York, I was also a TA in the Pre-K class there, which I loved. After moving to Colorado in 2015, I nannied for a family before starting my own and moving to Ignacio. We found the Treehouse and our lives are surely better for it. I love coming to work at the Treehouse and look forward to growing my family with the community.

Ms. Suzie

My name is Rebecca but everyone calls me Becky. I'm from Bayfield, and am third generation in this area. My husband and I lived in Hawaii for about a year, but came back because we love it here. I'm a mother of 5 kids, my oldest is 16 and my youngest is 6. I've put a career on hold to be a stay at home mom. My youngest had some struggles at a young age and couldn't attend preschool and because of Covid it was hard to find somewhere for him to play. I'm so thankful for the Tree house and MS Nicole for being so welcoming and accepting of my family. So it is my pay it forward to volunteer at the Tree House for kid care, plus I really like to hold babies.

Ms. Becky kidcare provider /volunteer

Hi, I’m Ashley! My husband and I have a 2 year old daughter (almost 3!) named Lily and we have been coming to The Treehouse for almost 2 years now. Before Lily was born, I worked as a RN, mostly in maternal/child health, where I supported new moms on their parenting journey. I love working with both children and families, and all the joys and challenges that come with parenthood. I am now a stay-at-home mom and I love spending my days around children, watching as they grow and develop and seeing how each individual personality begins to take shape. The wonder and excitement a young child sees in their everyday world keeps me looking at the world in a whole new way, and that’s one of the reasons l enjoy volunteering for kid care at The Treehouse. The Treehouse has been a huge source of connection and support for us as we navigated COVID and new parenthood with no family nearby, and I wanted to volunteer so that other families have the opportunity to find that support as well. Thank you for trusting me with your little ones, and feel free to ask me any questions you may have!

Ms. Ashley kidcare provider /volunteer

Nicole Johnson Founder and Executive Director