Today we’d like to introduce you to Nakeisha Hill.
Nakeisha Hill
Hi Nakeisha, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I have always dealt with kids; rather it was growing up babysitting siblings or other kids in the family. When I got older, I would volunteer at different daycare facilities and listen to the stories from my grandmother when she had her daycare. I was also known as the kool auntie, keeping all my nieces and nephews and eventually having my own kids. Everyone from friends and family would joke that I should open my daycare. I prayed, and during Covid, I decided to open my own. I had some doubts, but God has not left my side. I’m now licensed and certified with the state of Missouri and currently have twelve students with several children on the waiting list. The next step is owning my building.
I have always dealt with kids; rather it was growing up babysitting siblings or other kids in the family. When I got older, I would volunteer at different daycare facilities and listen to the stories from my grandmother when she had her daycare. I was also known as the kool auntie, keeping all my nieces and nephews and eventually having my own kids. Everyone from friends and family would joke that I should open my daycare. I prayed, and during Covid, I decided to open my own. I had some doubts, but God has not left my side. I’m now licensed and certified with the state of Missouri and currently have twelve students with several children on the waiting list. The next step is owning my building.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The biggest struggle was the doubt I had in myself. Because in this business, you’re not only the boss but also dealing with other people’s children. But because of the passion I have for children, it became easy. I’m shocked I didn’t have more children of my own (lol). Now, don’t get me wrong, there have been some parents who have their way of doing things with their children against things we do here at the school, such as discipline tactics and eating habits, but I manage to stand firm in what I believe, and the parents either understood or removed their child. When I first started, it wasn’t easy getting parents to trust me with their children, just like when my children went to school you dont want to leave your children with just any and everybody, but Daycare on The Hill is unlike any other in-home daycare. I simply gain the parents trust by simply explaining my passon for children and explaining that this daycare teach the children ( we don’t babysit), we take fieldtrips, we have fun and most importantly we treat every child like our own. It was only four kids when we and I contemplated rather if I wanted to take on more children, keep in mind it’s my home first, and secondly getting a license is no essy task. Making sure we met certain timeframes and guildlines, sometimes the state and I would bump heads but with the support of my family we became licensed and certified.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Well I own and operate an in-home daycare, we specialize in teaching children from ages six weeks to six years of age. What sets this daycare apart is that we are a learning facility, as I mentioned before we don’t babysit. A lot of in-home daycares just allows the parents to drop their child(ren) off and let the television watch the children, Here we care and treat the children like our own. A child that comes here will learn the basics of early childhood education, have discipline/manners, respect for others and themselves, skills to help guide them in Kindergarten.
Well I own and operate an in-home daycare, we specialize in teaching children from ages six weeks to six years of age. What sets this daycare apart is that we are a learning facility, as I mentioned before we don’t babysit. A lot of in-home daycares just allows the parents to drop their child(ren) off and let the television watch the children, Here we care and treat the children like our own. A child that comes here will learn the basics of early childhood education, have discipline/manners, respect for others and themselves, skills to help guide them in Kindergarten.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson is to keep GOD first, allow him to order my steps,guide me in this business (not my will but his will). I had to learn everyone raise their children differently so being humble became a must. I’ve learned to listen to others, and know it’s ok to not be right all the time. I learn to accept corrective criticism it helps you grow.
The most important lesson is to keep GOD first, allow him to order my steps,guide me in this business (not my will but his will). I had to learn everyone raise their children differently so being humble became a must. I’ve learned to listen to others, and know it’s ok to not be right all the time. I learn to accept corrective criticism it helps you grow.
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