Today we’d like to introduce you to Ale Barranca.
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 always had an interest and special connection with children. I didn’t know anything about how to run a home daycare so I reached out to a provider that I knew. She gave me the courage to call DCFS and start the process to obtain my license. I like to read, so I did a lot of research about how to run my daycare. I also I like to attend training; which helps tremendously. I belong to two association of Home Daycare providers in my area. One is Association for Kids’ Sake and the second, in Round Lake, is called Association of Together for Childhood Network. Having the support of so many providers and dear friends makes a lot of difference. I would like to think that my business is getting where I would like it to be due to my perseverance and dedication. My priority is my daycare families. I keep a balance between the education of the children and their needs at home. I teach manners and to have compassion.
Every time we go on a field trip, we have compliments about how well the children play and how they all show their best behavior. I pride myself on teaching the kids to wait their turn, and how to carefully interact with the little ones. Much of this comes from how I was educated in my home country, Mexico. I am lucky because besides teaching many of the children their first words in English I’m also teaching them Spanish. On the business side, I believe in replying to every single phone call and e-mail. Even if my enrollment is full and I won’t have any openings until 2019, I take the time to reply. It makes a difference when a family is looking for childcare. I always try to treat everyone with respect. I think all of these things have helped me get to where I am at in my business and it will continue to help me reach more goals. I am a firm believer that we never stop learning!
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?
I would like to think it has been a pleasant and challenging road. It is never easy to start a business. Nobody knows you. You must take clients who may require odd hours and keep tuition costs low in the beginning. I have come to value myself. I slowly changed our home, furniture, and priorities. All these struggles have been so rewarding both professionally and personally. I had never seen other providers as my competition. I think my competition is only within myself. That is why every year I try to challenge myself by signing up for new opportunities. This might be a new training, a new class, something that will help me improve my program.
Ale’s Home Daycare – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m a DCFS licensed home daycare provider and a business owner. My license allows me to care for twelve children under the age of five with a full-time assistant. My assistant happens to be my husband. We make an exceptional team. He makes me stronger and helps me to focus. I love, care for, and educate tiny humans. I am also a resource for our community. Like I always say, I don’t have a home daycare, I live in a home daycare. Almost all my home is dedicated to my daycare. As a business owner, I am very proud of our growth and the networking. Being able to give orientations and support to other providers as they begin their journey is a great feeling.
What sets me apart from others?
I would like to think that all my passion, hard work, and love of my profession is reflected in each of my clients. A former family, who left my program more than two years ago always says “when you become an Ale’s Daycare family, you are always family. You never leave”. I put my daycare children first. After all, they are mine when they are with me. I try to form a bond between all our families. I do this by celebrating holidays and birthdays with parties and family picnics. After all, the children see each other as siblings. However, I have learned that a strong contract with set policies, that I do my best to follow, is necessary to the success of my business. Also, a great webpage with all my information has helped to spread the word and allow my business to grown
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Every time I hear “I love you Miss Ale” or “I’m going to miss you” on Friday’s. If my daycare children are happy here that means we are doing the right thing and my house is the home away from home for them.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aleshomedaycare.com
- Email: aleshdc@aleshomedaycare.com
Image Credit:
Ruben Ramos Photography
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