Francheska Velazquez
Play to Learn Childcare
The Backstory
In 2019, Neisa and her husband, Wilfred, became foster parents when they welcomed five-day-old twin girls into their home. A few years later, the girls were ready to start daycare but Neisa had trouble finding a place for them. So, she came up with a unique solution – opening her own child care center!
“These sweet and precious little girls deserved a great childcare experience and we were determined to give them that,” says Neisa. “That is how The Learning Barn Childcare Center & Preschool came to be.” Neisa and Wilfred opened the center in Naugatuck in 2022, with a mission to cultivate a cooperative community of families and teachers who provide a high-quality, safe, teacher-led, nurturing, play-to-learn environment. Its vision is to empower children to be future leaders, workers, and world-changers.
“These sweet and precious little girls deserved a great childcare experience and we were determined to give them that,” says Neisa. “That is how The Learning Barn Childcare Center & Preschool came to be.” Neisa and Wilfred opened the center in Naugatuck in 2022, with a mission to cultivate a cooperative community of families and teachers who provide a high-quality, safe, teacher-led, nurturing, play-to-learn environment. Its vision is to empower children to be future leaders, workers, and world-changers.
How Women's Business Development Council Helped
Neisa encountered some challenges soon after the business started, including keeping up with operating costs. The center opened in October, and heating costs during the winter were greater than expected. Neisa says WBDC helped her apply for a startup grant to keep up with heating and payroll expenses while she grew her business by actively enrolling children.
“I have used many WBDC services,” says Neisa. “I’ve participated in many of the Zoom classes and I’ve had a one-on-one mentor who has walked me through every step, from before licensing to now getting ready to celebrate our first year in business!”
Of her future work with WBDC, Neisa says, “I know I will grow if I have them by my side.”
“I have used many WBDC services,” says Neisa. “I’ve participated in many of the Zoom classes and I’ve had a one-on-one mentor who has walked me through every step, from before licensing to now getting ready to celebrate our first year in business!”
Of her future work with WBDC, Neisa says, “I know I will grow if I have them by my side.”
Website
Location
980 Rubber Ave., Naugatuck, CT 06770
https://www.thelearningbarnchildcare.com/contact-us/
Contact Phone
203-489-0227