Inspirational and Empowering Child Care Business Owners To Build Successful Child Care Businesses

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Featured Business Owner Andrea Dickerson, Owner of Abeka Academy

 

About Andrea’s  Childcare Business

Well, Shiketa I am involved in 3 different aspects of childcare. Currently I own and operate Abeka Academy which is a new childcare center we have been open for 8 months now. We service children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old for full-time and ages 5-12 years old for summer camp, before and afterschool care and night care. Our center carries an average of 120 children. Next, we offer a nanny and babysitting company-Kids Care Everywhere! This service is for parents who want a childcare provider in their home. And finally I am beginning my solo-entrepreneur business where I offer day-care coaching and childcare operations and management systems. 

What inspired you to start a childcare business?

To be honest my Dad inspired me. He started me in business at the age of 16. We opened our first business at that time. Then after seeing the freedom and independence and financial rewards that being a business owner offered, I thought about what I wanted to do. At the age of 21 my dad decided to invest in my skills and talents and asked me what I wanted to do.  We entertained a beauty salon, clothing and shoe store, or a day-care. I asked if he would let me pray about it first. When I finished I was sure that day-care was what I was destined to do.  I love-making a difference in the lives of children. Seeing the children learn, grow, and love is so innocent to me. The joy of working with children ensures my hope for a better community. After the passion came my skill set and knowledge, childcare was the only thing that I did right by instinct. But instinct could only take me so far so I started attending college courses and now I am a Certified Child Development Specialist. And until this day I am continuing my education in this career field.

 What are your goals and dreams for your business?

First, I want to secure a contract with the local school system where we can provide off site afterschool care. I want this in the works by August 2011. Next, I want to establish Abeka Academy as an accredited program. We will begin the process by September 2011. Third, Begin a childcare service for the Largest Hospital here in my town.

My Dream Goal (5yrs) – To start another Abeka Academy in another state or at least another in another city. Then position Abeka Academy to become a  franchise.

 What do you think is the key to a successful childcare business?

My success is tips would be #1 Financial Management, # 2 Always invest money in your center and the people who work for you and #3 Stay educated. Read, join organizations, and remain teachable #4 NEVER STOP MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS!

Advice for new childcare business owners…

Get a day-care coach. If you are working from home, in a smaller center or a large center. You need a day-care coach. A day-care coach is someone who can walk you through areas in childcare that can boost your enrollment and income faster than you could if you did not have a day-care coach. Also a day-care coach can give you advice on how to spend your time and budget wiser or even help you set a budget.  When I started my career 7 years ago I did not think along these lines. However now that I do, I opened Abeka Academy with more childcare knowledge and within 4 months my center was at 90% capacity! Wow! I can help day-care providers see the same results. So don’t start out spinning your wheels or going crazy. Get a day-care coach. If you would like to have a Day-Care Success Coach please feel free to contact me at 912-289-2725.

Thanks Andrea for sharing your story and tips with other Child Care Business Owners. How has Andrea’s story inspired you?

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Child Care Center, Featured Child Care Business, Uncategorized

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Is Your Child Care Program Family Centered?

In a family center program, the concern of the provider or center is on the child and family. Moreover,  the program  will have innovative methods to increase interactions with families in the following ways: classroom telephones, personal family visits, journaling, parent-child events, etc. Furthermore, in a family centered childcare program, the community recognizes the facility as a family focal program.

Four Steps to Creating a family centered program?

Step One– Creating a family centered program is by viewing the parent and caregiver as the primary teacher of the child, because the parent is the first and most important teacher in a child’s life.

Step Two–  Home providers and center staff members  do whatever they can to support the parents in their role. For example: A parent has questions about potty training; The teacher, visits the professional development library to obtain an article for the parent to read and invites the parent to see him or her if there are anymore questions about potty training.

Step Three– There is good parent staff-communication in place. This could be any or all of the following: daily text messages, weekly emails, telephone calls, meetings, memos, use of social media, daily reports, newsletter, bulletin boards and so much more.

Step four– Provide services that assist parents in their role including: parenting classes, a parent resource library, access to parenting magazines/articles, parenting blog,etc.

What are your plans to create a family centered program? If you already have a family centered program, please share how having a family centered program has impacted your relationship with parents?

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Uncategorized

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