Jill Wambach
Barnegat, NJ (USA)
Role(s):
Manager/Supervisor
The Learning Academy Preschool and Daycare
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Startup
Location:
Barnegat
Industry:
Education
Year Founded:
2004
Number Employees:
1-10 people
Description:
The Learning Academy Preschool and Daycare is an established, state licensed childcare facility that I have been approached to enter into as a business partner. I am currently employed there as the on-site Director. There are two owners who reside one hour away, and I would be the primary partner on site as I live in the town it operates in.
The center operates weekdays from 6am to 6pm, and provides care for children ages 6 weeks through 13 years. Full-time and part-time care is offered to children of the pre-school age, and before/after school care is offered to children 5-13. State subsidy is accepted for those in need.
I hold a NJ State teaching certificate, and have had extensive training and experience working as a civilian employee for the Department of the Navy, starting as a caregiver in the classroom in 1993 and working my way up to Director of their Child Development Programs in 2000. I left in 2007 to embrace this position in my hometown and work towards opening my own facility.
This center has a solid client base of 65 enrolled children. When I began as Director on August 27, 2008 the enrollment was 40 children. Through marketing, word of mouth, and positive improvements in the facility I have increased the enrollment in my short time as Director. Currently we have a waiting list for care. The business makes a small profit at this time, and continues to earn a positive reputation in the community.
Personally, I am invested in my community and in children. I have a BA in Early Childhood Education and Psychology. I have volunteered my time as a coach for Little League, Youth Football, and in the school Parent/Teacher Association since 2005. I am interested in incorporating my education and knowledge of children's development in other ways at the center through mentoring, tutoring, and as a location for a Boys and Girls Club of America. The youth of our community have very few, if any, opportunity to explore their creative self and develop the strengths
needed to grow into responsible young adults. Through my experiences in the Navy Child Development Programs I gained knowledge of the Boys and Girls Club and saw first hand the positive effect the club has on youth. My own children were members, and benefited greatly. I am very eager to incorporated a BGCA into the center.
The owners and I have discussed creating an LLC with each of us equal partners. We have inquired about a location being developed within the year to relocate the center into a 7,800 sq. ft. structure which will serve even more children from the community.