Today we’d like to introduce you to Christian Peterson.
Hi Christian , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey into early childhood education in Texas began unexpectedly in 2019, shortly after my husband and I welcomed our sixth child. We had just relocated to Texas after living in the United Arab Emirates for seven years, and while I had been home supporting our family during that transition, I deeply missed working outside the home as an educator. At the time, my husband was working long hours in the oilfield and our older children were still settling into new schools, so returning to a traditional job wasn’t feasible. My husband suggested an alternative that changed everything: opening an in-home daycare.
Although hesitant at first, I decided to give it a try—and it quickly became the most fulfilling work I had ever done. I officially launched my in-home childcare program in March 2020, just as COVID-19 began unfolding. With the encouragement and mentorship of a seasoned childcare provider from my local mosque, I navigated licensing during an uncertain time and began serving the children of essential workers. As restrictions lifted, demand surged, and my program reached capacity almost immediately. With schools closed, my own children were home as well, creating a rare season of family togetherness that reinforced for me the power of community-centered care.
As my passion grew, so did the program—eventually overtaking the entire first floor of our home. That growth made it clear that this model, while meaningful, wasn’t sustainable long-term. A pivotal moment came during a licensing visit when I was encouraged to consider transitioning into a childcare center. Shortly after, my husband found a vacant, former police substation in Hurst, Texas. Though I couldn’t initially envision it, I ultimately signed a 10-year lease and fully renovated the space. In late 2021, Excellence Early Learning Center officially opened its doors, with families from my in-home program transitioning alongside me.
Scaling brought new challenges, particularly staffing, but that challenge became one of my greatest blessings. Through community connections, I built a team of highly educated women from Sudan—many of whom held bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fields such as education, pharmacy, engineering, and business from their home country. While raising young children in the U.S., they were seeking flexible work that honored both their professional expertise and family responsibilities. Together, we created a workplace rooted in shared values, trust, and cultural understanding—one that felt more like a family than a job.
Their support extended far beyond the classroom. The strength, reliability, and leadership of these women provided me with the stability and support I needed to pursue and complete my Doctorate degree through Vanderbilt University’s hybrid program in Leadership and Learning in Organizations. Being able to grow academically while leading a thriving center was only possible with God’s blessings, family support, and the community of sisterhood that we built together.
In 2023, we expanded into a second building to serve school-age children, including those requiring one-on-one support for special needs such as autism, behavioral, and emotional challenges. Today, Excellence Early Learning Center operates across two buildings, serving infants through school-age children with individualized, compassionate care. What began as a solution for my own family has grown into a mission-driven community rooted in faith, resilience, and service.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I’d just like to share that I’m so grateful to my husband for his unwavering support, to my children for their patience with me being a habitual dream chaser and to my parents for being the soft landing place that I’ve needed all my life and for raising me to be a person of faith because I deeply need it to run this business and ride the waves that come with running a business.
Pricing:
- We are currently running an enrollment special of $39.99 per day when you sign up with a sibling or friend.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.excellenceearlylearningcenter.com
- Instagram: @excellenceearlylearningcenter
- Facebook: @excellenceearlylearningcenter
