General Info
SUCCESS STORY
Allison's Infant & Toddler Center
In the spring of 2002 Allison Perkins decided to take the steps necessary to open an education based child care center in the neighborhood she grew up in, Englewood. “I kept hearing so many negative things about the community I was raised in that I wanted to create a positive impact and show the good in Englewood.” With the capital she received through a microloan from the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC), personal funds and other financial resources, Allison was able to open her business. Allison’s Infant & Toddler Center opened in November 2004 at 5522 S. Racine Ave with the capacity to educate 25 children through child care and Head Start programs.
Allison came to the WBDC with a business plan, and with the help of business counselors Teresa Prim and Elizabeth Gardner she was able to revise the plan and focus in on the actual desired outcome. “The WBDC really, really helped because I didn’t know anything about the business side of child care and the counselors guided me in the right direction. They helped me understand the process of what I was getting into and mentored me in business practices.”
From one center in 2004 to three centers as of March 2011, Allison continues grow and develop her business and the curriculum necessary to help educate her students effectively. Between the three locations Allison is capable of educating 102 students at one time with the help of her 25 employees. There are part time social workers, family support specialists, nutritionists, mental health counselors, special education teachers, and nurses that help at the locations through linkage agreements to enhance programs. Allison’s has various programs to help families receive high quality, affordable early education services for their children such as Head Start, Early Head Start, Prevention Initiative and Preschool for All.
In the field of childcare, Allison is “proud of the way the profession has moved, grown, and changed. We’re making sure the children of Illinois are getting the skills necessary to prepare them for elementary school.” Child care has come a long way and Allison is happy there are so many quality centers to suggest to parents when her three locations are at capacity.
Eventually, Allison hopes to have enough space and money to employ full time social workers, provide GED training for adults in the community, house more parent volunteers, and expand the capacity to care for more children who learn differently. For those interested in opening their own childcare centers, Allison advises, “It’s very different from what you may have initially envisioned; you’re not going to be with the children as much. As an administrator, you are ensuring the children have meaningful and valuable experiences to prepare them for life’s challenges. It’s very rewarding.”
To learn more about Allison’s Infant and Toddler Center, click here.
Child Care Applause Awards
