Today we’d like to introduce you to Shandreca Gibson.
Hi Shandreca, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I am a disabled veteran who served 4 years in the army. I’ve worked with Department of Veteran Affairs, Army and Airforce Exchange Services, Department of Defense, and Texas Health and Human Services. I have a bachelor’s degree in social work, minors in Psychology and African American studies, and certificate in Diversity studies. I have 90 credit hours in childcare along with first, CPR, and basic life support. I also have experience in counseling and working with troubled youth. In 2019, I’ve decided to open an in-home registered daycare in the state of Texas because I love working with children of all ages and I am a mandated reporter of child abuse. My duties are to serve and protect the innocent. I am the voice of the innocent, and I welcome all walks of life, where a child is a child first.
I am who I am because of word of mouth and the love I show for the children I care for. Also, parents love my website www.littlepeoplevillage.com because the name is unique, and my website makes them feel at ease. I build rapport with the parents to ensure that their children will always be safe with me. I can honestly say it wasn’t easy running a daycare along with my hair care business, Ziv Products, LLC (www.zivproducts.com). I chose to put my daycare before my other business because so many parents needed my help, and I was more than willing to help. I love what I do, and I hope to continue blessing families with my love, honesty, and determination.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I can honestly say that it hasn’t been a smooth road. In 2019, I started with 2 children, then 14. Ever since COVID and inflation, parents cannot afford daycare and enrollment has been up and down. I’m always hopeful that I will enroll more children, and I have been very patient. In this type of industry, there will always be ups and downs but it’s up to me to always think positive.
We’ve been impressed with Little People Village, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Little People Village is a service-disabled veteran-owned business in the state of Texas. This licensed in-home daycare serves children from ages 6 weeks to 6 years in a safe and inclusive environment. Little People Village also serves families regardless of race, color, sex, age, disability, religion, national origin or political beliefs. Little People Village complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. My mission is to develop an awareness and understanding of all children, with and without disabilities, socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually. I am a social worker and mandated reporter. I’m also a primary caregiver who cares for children 5 days a week, 5 or 10 hours a day. I am also an author who publish books for children. Here are a few of my books that can be found on Amazon:
Denali Takes Off!
Denali’s first Adventure
The Tale of the Luck Dragon
The Secret of the Fire Lion
Cutting the grass with Dad
Painting with Daddy
My Little Brothers and Me
Little People Village Daycare Home Guide
My daycare is different because it’s smaller than a daycare center, and it’s a home daycare. Most children want to feel at home, and allow them to feel at home by letting them bring toys, books, or any object that can ease their minds while they learn and play. I am proud of my brand because it states, “Welcome all walks of life, where a child is a child first.” I came up with this brand because sometimes we forget that children are people too, and they have feelings. My daycare offers full-time, part-time, and drop-in care. I also have a curriculum for each age group and age-appropriate books; I also prepare 3 meals and 2 snacks for the children and let them just be children.
What makes you happy?
Seeing the smiles and satisfaction of the children and their parents makes me very happy. This makes me happy because that lets me know I’ve done my job.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.littlepeoplevillage.com
