A long-time dream is finally coming to fruition.
Bright Beginnings Learning Center located at 501 Peters Drive in St. Joseph, plans to open in October.
“We run it like a family,” co-owner Nicole Uher said. “It’s family-owned, safe and we have lots of experience.”
The three owners, Carolyn Miller, Uher, and Lori Fisher have all run home daycares for more than 15 years.
Miller stressed that they offer a fun, loving environment for children to feel like they are at home while learning and engaging with other children.
The center offers a curriculum-based program and meals and snacks will be provided.
The Learning Center will host an open house today from 1-3 p.m.
Miller said she hoped people would come and take a look at the building that has gone extensive renovations since previously being an Abbeyfield Senior Living Center.
The Center will house children from six months to 12 years of age and the children will be broken down by age group. Younger children will have all-day care while school-age children will have after-school care.
The journey to opening started two years ago as the three women started looking for building to host their childcare center.
“We looked at buildings all over the area,” Miller said, “We finally found this property and knew it was the one.”
The Covid pandemic and the fact that the former owners were based in England made negotiating tedious.
Then came the remodels.
And the drainage situation that needed addressed.
“The village was very helpful,” Uher said. “They really wanted us here.”
The only things remaining from the original Abbeyfield building are the walls, Miller said.
“It’s basically a brand new building,” Uher said.
The building has room for the center to expand and has a multi-purpose room for play when the weather is too cold to go outside.
“The building also is big enough for us to grow,” Miller said. “It’s also right across from the schools. This makes it easier for parents to pick up and drop off.”
The center will employ 13 teachers to start.
For more information visit the center’s Facebook page or email bblcstjoe@gmail.com.
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