Inspiring Conversations with Priscilla Todd

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Priscilla Todd.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey into childcare started in 1998 but my love for children blossomed in years prior. Honestly, back then the pay was not great, so I decided to take a break from childcare and in the interim, held several Management positions, graduated school, and received my degree in science. I found myself unhappy and feeling like I was not fulfilling my full potential. After relocating to Georgia in 2009, fostering six children and participating in Savannah’s Big Brothers Big Sisters program, I knew I wanted to work with children again. 

Five years later I found myself to be an empty nester and was ready to get back into childcare. However, while being employed in a big center and witnessing the daily chaos while working as a toddler teacher and camp counselor, it was obvious to me that I would burn out quickly. I knew I could offer families a better experience if given the chance. That very moment while driving home, I decided I wanted to open and run my own in-home family daycare. 

In 2017 I started planning, preparing, and laying the road map of what I would need to start and operate a successful in-home daycare. In March of 2018, I quit my job to focus solely on the licensing process. I found out rather quickly that this was not going to be a quick process. There were trainings that needed to be taken, an orientation class in Forsyth GA that I was required to attend, approval from the Fire Marshall and I needed to apply for my occupational business license from the city before the State would come out for my licensing inspection. 

With much perseverance and determination, I was able to accomplish each task and in July 2018, Tiny Hands Big Hearts was established, and licensed to operate. Due to the high demand for childcare, I applied to become licensed as a Center, this would allow me to care for twelve children instead of six. A year and 1 month later in August 2019, I received my license to operate as a Center and decided to change my business name to Tiny Hands Big Hearts In-Home Childcare. Somehow in the may lay of things, I did not notice that having the name Tiny Hands Big Hearts did not tell people what Tiny Hands Big Hearts was, so I changed it to Tiny Hands Big Hearts In-Home Childcare. Now, you are wondering how I came up with the name. It’s simple, children have tiny hands and big hearts, what a great name to have with the bonus of being an in-home center.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In my opinion, any new business that is just starting will face some sort of challenge, I call them speed bumps. Some of the “speed bumps” I came across were deciding what items to purchase, what curriculum to use, and finding a routine that would allow me to be at my best all day. You were probably thinking I would say the financial aspect. Luckily, I have a wonderful husband of 26 years that supported and encouraged me while going through this entire process.

There have been so many lessons that I’ve learned along this journey, it would be difficult to share just one or two because they have added so much value in one way or another. I tell my little people that when it comes to life, we never stop learning because life will never stop teaching us new things. This would be the best lesson because it can be applied to every aspect of our lives.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What do we do at Tiny Hands? We simply learn through play. For example, when in the block area building a tower, you will see us incorporate addition, subtraction, or grouping. We cook and incorporate math by measuring and pouring liquids. We enjoy doing group activities because they teach our little ones to work as a team, follow multi-step directions and communicate with one another to complete the task. 

What sets us apart from most in-home providers is that we approach each child as an individual not as a group or collective, and we are truly a home away from home. With our monthly themed lesson plans combined with GELDS (Georgia Early Learning Developmental Standards) we are sure to cover every domain needed for child development. While we allow children to be children and explore, wonder, ask questions and test boundaries, I understand that at this very crucial age children need to be taught the basics like regulating their emotions, communicating their needs, learning to share and take turns, so as they grow, they have a better understanding of themselves. They have plenty of time to sit and learn to read when they enter school. Childhood is such a short time, and in my eyes should be spent creating memories that will last a lifetime. Regardless of how old you get; you never forget that one adult/ teacher that made a difference. That is Tiny Hands Big Hearts In-Home Childcare and that is what sets us apart.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check?
www.Kidsthinkcurriculum.com and www.daycaretimesolutions.com.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tinyhandsbighearts2018.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TinyHandsBigHearts2018/