Guilford Biz Spotlight: Kinder Sprouts Child Care Center

Business: Kinder Sprouts Child Care Center
Owners: Laura Gunneson
Website: www.kinder-sprouts.com
Contact Info: Laura Gunneson 203-458-2273, lgunneson@kinder-sprouts.com
Address: 900 Village Walk, Guilford

Kinder Sprouts owner Laura Gunneson shares a bit about her child care center in our latest Guilford business spotlight.

How did you come up with the name?
I wanted our name to be as unique, fun progressive as our program is.  Our logo was designed using a drawing my daughter made and includes 5 flowers, one for each of my daughters and one for me!

Why choose that location? Why start a business in this town?
I chose this site because it is a facility that has always housed a child care center, it is conveniently located off the highway yet sits back from traffic. The town of Guilford diverse and progressive as well as environmentally sensitive.The Kinder Sprouts approach to child care is a incorporates these things and has proven to be a great match!

Briefly, what business are you in?
Child Care

What's the most difficult moment or challenge you've faced as a business owner?
It is always a gamble when you introduce a new concept. Especially when your taking care of other peoples children. I did not know if my great ideas were going to seem great to anyone besides me! I have tried to take all the greatest things I have found in working with children for the last 25 years and put it all in one small center. So far so good!

Were there any challenges that made you second guess your decision to be an entrepreneur?
Second guessing and dark days are part of what keeps me moving. Just when I think I have hit a wall I cannot get over someone opens a door! It may be an idea, feedback or even finding out that we made a real difference to a child or family. I have faith that that will keep happening!

What's been your favorite moment or proudest achievement since opening?
After being in business for only 4 months we were nominated for the 2014 Best of Shoreline Awards by Shoreline Macaroni Kid and we won! We have also received the Eco-Healthy Child Care Certificate by the Children's Environmental Health Network. Not bad for 5 Months!

What's the most innovative idea your employees or customers have had that you put into practice?
Besides being Eco-Healthy, Breastfeeding Friendly and cloth diaper friendly, we use a teaching model that keeps groups of children and their teacher together for the first 3 years. This "looping" reduces the stress of transitions and allows for a better parent/child/provider partnership.

How do you deal with difficult customers?
We work with three year olds!  Have you ever met one?  Just kidding!  I believe in being transparent with information and handing things directly.  The conversation may be difficult but it is also necessary.  There is nothing more important then feeling good about who is taking care of your children.

How does your business give back or get involved in the community?
As we grow we will be starting a few programs that are close to my heart.  Our Britt's Special Sprouts program will provide drop-in child care to siblings of children who are receiving medical treatment for chronic illness.  Trish's Seedlings is a program we will be offering for young single mothers who are continuing their education.  This child care scholarship will help cover the cost of child care at our center so young mothers have the support they need to succeed.

This article is part of Patch's series highlighting local businesses in our community. Learn more about the series, and if you're a small business, fill out the form to be included, by checking out this link.