Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Schneider.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have been an Early Childhood Educator and Administrator for the past 25 years. In addition, I have been working with young children and families in the non-profit and Christian Church profession since I graduated High School in 1983. It has always been a passion of mine to work with children and I have been truly blessed to have the experiences in fostering growth and development in children of all ages. I started working with emotionally challenged children and children with visual impairments through school readiness programs. I have coached little league to High School level athletes, as well as, have been a Special Events Coordinator at a local Children’s Health Museum where I grew up. For the past 25 years I have been more focused on Early Childhood education and have helped to start-up 6 Early Childhood Centers and have consulted nationwide for at least 20 other early childhood schools throughout my career. I came to the Chicagoland area about 3 years ago to help expand a Church’s successful part-day Preschool program into a full-time year round early childhood facility for children ages 6 weeks through 6 years of age and School-Age Summer Camp for children 6 – 12 years of age. It is a true blessing to see the enthusiasm and uniqueness of each child who comes through our doors. What a privilege to be a part of helping to guide the future leaders of America.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Working with schools as a start-up in early childhood education is never an easy road, but the benefits of being able to provide a safe and loving learning environment for children while their parents are working is the ultimate blessing of running an early childhood center and Preschool. The biggest struggles in starting any small business is a strong business plan and having to plan to spend more upfront costs to get a quality school, but knowing you may have to work to get yourself in the black. Some of the hurdles in Illinois, depending on the county you live in, is the Illinois DCFS Licensing Standards to get a center open. Illinois makes it much more difficult than other Licensing entities in other states that I have worked in previously. It almost makes opening an early childhood facility not as much fun and/or not as cost effective as in other state systems, yet with more families in the workplace and the commute factor of living near a big city where the need is there, but the hassle to meet that need is complicated by the state. It has been a difficult journey with almost a year and a half delay from our original projected opening date, but we are finally open and serving our community and looking forward to many great years ahead.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Grace Lutheran Church and Open Arms Northbrook – what should we know?
Open Arms-Northbrook, a Preschool and Christian Child Development Center in Northbrook, IL is a not-for-profit ministry of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church which is dedicated to providing a childcare program of the highest quality designed to meet the needs of today’s parents. The school is built on a rich tradition of Christian Education for the past 50 years, and most recently, the success of our 32 year tradition of our beloved Mustard Seed Preschool programs. At Open Arms-Northbrook, each child is guided to develop to his/her potential in every aspect of life within the sheltering and nurturing relationships of Christian love. We operate our center assuming each child is an individual and must be allowed to grow and learn at his/her own rate in order to develop a healthy self-image. It is the goal of Open Arms-Northbrook to help each child to grow spiritually, emotionally, physically, socially, and intellectually in their own unique way.
As childcare frequently represents the child’s first separation from home. It is a first experience in learning that other adults, besides parents and immediate family members, can be helpful and loving. Children have much social learning to do. This is accomplished best in an atmosphere of love and concern for the needs of each child. Daily programs and curriculum objectives are planned to encourage and develop individual strengths and abilities, while helping your child to understand the value of cooperation and interaction with others. This is achieved through daily hands-on activities that encourage working, learning, playing, and sharing with other children, as well as adults.
The Open Arms-Northbrook program of early childhood education includes daily teaching activities, storytelling and books, math, science, music and movement, indoor and outdoor play, Jesus time, as well as, weekly chapel opportunities that are offered in an informational, home-like environment. Your child will be guided to start taking part in small and large group activities throughout a typical classroom day. This combination of experiences will broaden your child’s aptitude for future schoolwork, while allowing freedom for imagination and creativity. Our Open Arms-Northbrook curriculum includes opportunities for growth in all major developmental areas, as well as, creating a place where your children will feel happy, secure and loved.
Open Arms-Northbrook Christian Child Development Center operates from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Open Arms-Northbrook is open to children of any race, color, or creed from the ages of 6-weeks old through 12-years-of-age. Upon completion of the required enrollment forms, students will be enrolled and admitted to Open Arms-Northbrook CCDC when space is available. Priority is given to full-time students and/or their siblings.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Our loving Christ-centered learning environment that is complimented by 4 year degreed Teachers in Early Childhood and/or related Educational fields.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2245 Walters Ave.,
Northbrook, IL 60062 - Website: www.gracenorthbrook.org
- Phone: (847) 498-3060
- Email: info@openarmsnorthbrook.org
- Facebook: www.openarms-northbrookformermustardseedpreschool.com
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