We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sabrina Baker a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sabrina , thanks for joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

After dedicating the past three years to building and managing my own childcare business, I’ve developed a deep passion for what I do. The journey of nurturing and educating young minds has been incredibly rewarding, but as the demand for our services continues to grow, I’ve realized that I can no longer handle everything on my own. From designing lesson plans to maintaining our online presence on the website and social media platforms, the responsibilities have become overwhelming.

I’ve reached a point where I believe that expanding my team could significantly improve the overall efficiency and quality of our services. This, in turn, could lead to further growth and success for the business. The idea of assembling a dedicated team has reignited my initial passion for founding this business and reinforced the importance of its impact on both me and my community.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi there, My name is Sabrina Baker the owner, director, and lead instructor of Creative Xpressions Preschool for the Arts and Creative Tots Family Art & Playgroup. I’m passionately dedicated to facilitating young children’s exploration and learning through an art-centered curriculum coupled with hands-on play-based activities that impart positive social and emotional interactions to students.

With over 15 years of leadership as an esteemed educator in the Lehigh Valley and Pocono Mountains regions, I am a licensed early childhood professional, holding credentials in child development from the Council for Professional Recognition of Washington D.C., Penn State University, and Penn Foster College.

Fulfilling a childhood aspiration, my dream became a reality in August 2021, inaugurating my art, music, yoga, and play-based preschool at the Day Street Community Center in East Stroudsburg, PA. Subsequently, in January 2024, I launched my latest initiative – Creative Tots Family Art & Playgroup – catering to families seeking an in-person preschool alternative. This bi-weekly 90-minute program not only imparts informative sessions on local children’s events, resources, and government assistance programs but also aims to empower families with a nurturing and secure environment for collective growth, fostering new friendships, and affirming available options regardless of familial circumstances.

Given the amazing response to enrollment in both my preschool and family playgroup programs, I am currently partnering with numerous community businesses, to provide convenient locations and schedules to accommodate the needs of families within the Poconos and Lehigh Valley.

Looking ahead into 2024, I would like to continue my partnership with diverse community organizations, including Angels & Dragonflies Children’s Charity, a 501(c) non-profit organization extending complimentary infant products and gently used children’s toys to families in Monroe & Pike Counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Additionally, I would like to continue my preschool program’s alliance with Christ Episcopal Church of Stroudsburg, PA’s Food Pantry program. This partnership ensures that currently enrolled students and their families receive food backpacks to mitigate food insecurities beyond childcare hours, complemented by the church’s free access to an indoor play space for the colder months.

During my downtime, I enjoy arts and crafts, traveling, music, gaming, shopping, and relishing moments with my loving family and friends.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

What has helped me build my reputation is being genuine with all my clients. I truly enjoy getting to know their stories and I always strive to create an environment that feels non-judgmental, friendly, with open communication, and adaptable to the ever-changing needs of our communities.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I provide my prospective families with my email address and social media contacts. For my currently enrolled families, they can reach me directly via our parent communication app or by calling or texting my business phone number. I always make sure to be available to address any questions, concerns, or follow up with them. For families who no longer attend my program, I proactively send out a biannual email or text message to check in, say hello, and offer any local resources they may need.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cxartspreschool.wixsite.com/cxpa
• Instagram: @cxartspreschool @creativetotsplaygroup
• Facebook: facebook.com/cxartspreschool facebook.com/creativetotsplaygroup

Image Credits

All photos shown were taken by Sabrina Baker, and she has obtained signed parental consent for the children in the photos.