Prenatal to Preschool (Formally Learn and Grow Together) was founded in 2004, first as a blog, as a simple way to get information across to parents in the Albany, NY area. I wanted to provide information, advice, and parenting humor to friends and others in my area. Since I was 12, my passion has been to help families and children of all ages and abilities. At the age of 15, I had my first child care job at a friend's in home child care center. This is when I knew that this is what I wanted to do with my life. I started taking some advanced courses in high school for early childhood development and child psychology. I then took majored in Early Childhood Development and Education in college and did an internship at the college day care. From there I also got an Associates in Business, in which I graduated Magna Cum Laude. I was originally going to start my own day care center, but I got pulled in another way! I wanted to help families on an individual level.

I did take a short break until my first son, born in 1999, was 1. I then took a lead teacher position at a preschool where he attended. I ended up at one other center, before having my daughter in 2003. I took a couple years off, trying to figure out what I could do for children and families, and still stay home with my kids. So in 2005 I launched Creative Parenting, at the urging of my local Attachment Parenting group and several of my former parents at my previous preschool. I shortly thereafter changed the name to Learn and Grow Together (after moving to North Carolina) and now Prenatal To Preschool after some thought and coaxing from friends!

We moved BACK to New York in December 2009, and hope to get as wonderful a customer base as we did in North Carolina.

I started with a small website through a free host, with parenting tips, local events (Kindermusik, parks, fairs, schools holding carnivals, fundraisers, healthy kid days (YMCA) and so on). I also listed local mom and dad support groups. Shortly after moving to North Carolina, I became a Wee Hands and Happiest Baby Certified Educator. I had read this book when my daughter was a baby and found it very helpful, wishing it was around when my first was born (though, he was and still is my best sleeper!). I was very excited when I heard about the Educator Program, which was about a year old by then, and immediately applied!! If I had stayed in NY, I would have been a Kindermusik instructor with an old Kindermusik studio, no longer around, called Cart Wheels for Kids. I was asked to join them and go through training, right before we moved. I am sure that would have been fun too! I would have done it down in North Carolina, if it were not already full of wonderful KI instructors! (As there is here in NY)

Shortly after moving to North Carolina, I got an invitation from Wee Hands to become an instructor. Since I have used ASL in the past with both children in my care as well as my own children, I jumped at this opportunity! This was a perfect service to add to my ever growing business. I am very happy I went with Wee Hands, as they only choose people for their instructors who have an extensive ASL and Early Childhood background, unlike some other companies, where you just pay a fee! I am considering a Montessori Certification at the present time! I would also like a few of my own permanent residences for my classes spread out through the Capital District. 

Thanks to the help of my husband, Chris, I can get all the technical and financial sides of my business taken care of. (Except writing the website! I LOVE working with HTML!) I am lucky to have a loving, supportive husband, who is willing to help out when needed. (Which usually means he watches the kids when I have a night time or weekend class!)

I also have a ton of friends who have helped bring Prenatal To Preschool together! :) This includes Aisha at Gifts For All NC for logos, advice and critiques. I would also like to thank Liberty Johnson at Bee Square Virtual Assistants for her AWESOME critique and help in making my website that much better for my families! I would also like to thank all my business owner mamas at Moms United in Business, LLC (Especially owner and founder, Jenn Rogers) for the community support they give!