Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yolanda Gibson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Yolanda, thanks for joining us today. Folks often look at a successful business and imagine it was an overnight success, but from what we’ve seen this is often far from the truth. We’d love to hear your scaling up story – walk us through how you grew over time – what were some of the big things you had to do to grow and what was that scaling up journey like?

When I first opened my family day home, it was just me, a few children, and a deep desire to create a nurturing, safe, and enriching environment for little ones to grow. I started small — in my home, with limited resources, juggling everything from lesson planning and food prep to diaper changes and bookkeeping. It was overwhelming, but also deeply fulfilling.
The most critical foundation I laid was trust. I focused intensely on creating genuine relationships with the families I served. Word of mouth became my biggest growth driver. Parents started recommending my day home because they knew I cared deeply about their children. I didn’t have a marketing budget, so I relied on showing up every single day with consistency, compassion, and professionalism.
I realized quickly that passion alone wouldn’t scale a business. I needed systems. So I began documenting everything — from routines and menus to emergency protocols and curriculum plans. This helped create structure and predictability, which not only benefited the kids, but also prepared me to eventually bring on staff.
After I hit capacity in my home, I was faced with a hard decision: stay small and turn away families, or figure out how to expand. That was a turning point. I chose to grow, but within the boundaries of maintaining a home-like feel. I pursued the proper licensing to operate as a multi-provider model under a family day home agency. This required a lot of learning — navigating red tape, inspections, and documentation — but it gave me legitimacy and access to support and funding streams.
Hiring was another critical (and scary) step. Letting go of control was difficult, especially with something as personal as childcare. But I found that when I invested in the right people — those who shared my values and approach to care — we could do more together. I created a training program based on my documented systems and slowly built a small, dependable team. The goal was always quality over quantity.
There were missteps. I hired too quickly once and had to let someone go. I said “yes” to too many things and burnt myself out. But each challenge taught me more about boundaries, delegation, and sustainability. One of the biggest mindset shifts I made was recognizing that growth doesn’t mean doing more myself, but creating an environment where others can succeed too.
I sought out mentorship and community — other providers, local small business networks, and even online groups. Being able to talk openly about challenges and exchange ideas was invaluable. I also began mentoring newer providers myself, which further cemented the systems and values I’d put in place.
Eventually, I embraced tools to streamline the business side — digital attendance logs, parent communication apps, automated invoicing. These small changes added up to major time savings and improved my professional image to families.

Today, my day home still feels like a home — but it operates with the efficiency and intention of a well-run business. We serve more families, employ a small team, and have a waitlist. Most importantly, we’ve stayed true to our mission: providing high-quality, heartfelt care in a nurturing environment.

Scaling a family day home isn’t about “growing big” — it’s about growing well. It’s about balancing heart with strategy, care with consistency, and trusting that thoughtful, values-driven growth is not only possible — it’s sustainable.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi there! I’m the owner and operator of a licensed family day home — a warm, home-based childcare space where children are genuinely seen, heard, and nurtured every single day. My journey into this work came from a deep love for children and a realization that the early years are some of the most critical in a child’s life. I didn’t just want to offer supervision — I wanted to create a space that felt like a second home, where every child could feel safe, valued, and supported in their growth.

Before opening my day home, I worked in various roles within early childhood education and family support, which gave me a strong foundation in child development and the importance of responsive, relationship-based care. Eventually, I felt called to create something of my own — a space that combined high-quality learning experiences with the warmth and comfort of a home environment.

I provide full-time and part-time childcare for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Our program includes: A play-based learning curriculum rooted in early childhood best practices, Daily routines that support emotional security and independence, Homemade, nutritious meals and snacks, A strong focus on outdoor play and sensory-rich activities, Open and honest communication with parents, with digital updates and photos, and A low child-to-caregiver ratio to ensure every child gets the attention they deserve.

What sets my day home apart is the intentional care and individualized attention I give to each child and family. I’m not just “watching” children — I’m building relationships with them, supporting their development, and helping families feel confident and connected. I’ve also taken the time to create strong systems, safety standards, and a consistent, nurturing environment where kids can thrive and parents can have peace of mind.

I also prioritize cultural sensitivity, open communication, and inclusivity. Every family’s story matters here, and I aim to create a space where all children feel reflected, respected, and celebrated.

I’m most proud of the trust families place in me. There’s no greater honor than being part of a child’s foundational years. I’m also proud of how I’ve grown the business while staying true to my values — always putting quality care above quantity, and building something that feels personal, professional, and sustainable.

If you’re a parent looking for childcare, know this: your child will be deeply cared for here. They won’t be just another number. This is a place where kids laugh, learn, play, and build relationships that matter. And as a parent, you’ll be part of a community that supports and uplifts you too.

If you’re another caregiver or aspiring provider, know that it’s possible to build a childcare business rooted in both heart and excellence. I believe in transparency, community, and lifelong learning — and I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned with others.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Honestly, the biggest thing that helped me build my reputation was consistency and care. Families talk — and when parents feel like their child is truly safe, supported, and thriving, word spreads. I didn’t build my business overnight with flashy ads or big promotions. It started with showing up every single day, being dependable, building trust, and treating each child like my own.

I also prioritized communication with parents. I made sure they felt included, informed, and heard — whether it was sending photos of their child’s day, sharing developmental updates, or just checking in when something felt off. That level of openness and partnership built real relationships, and parents appreciated that.

Another key factor was professionalism. Even though I operate out of my home, I run things with clear policies, structure, and high standards — from cleanliness and curriculum to health protocols and licensing. That balance of a home-like environment with a professional approach really set me apart.

Over time, happy families became my best marketing. Referrals and word-of-mouth became the strongest pillars of my reputation. I also made an effort to connect with others in the early childhood and family day home community, which helped build trust and recognition locally.

So in short — it was trust, transparency, and truly caring about each child and family that built my reputation. And I protect that reputation by continuing to lead with heart, integrity, and quality every step of the way.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One story that really illustrates my resilience happened during the early days of the pandemic. Like many others in childcare, I was faced with a choice: temporarily close my doors or find a way to keep going in a safe and sustainable way. It was one of the most uncertain times I’ve ever experienced as a provider.

Overnight, I had families pulling their children out due to fear, others desperately needing care because they were essential workers, and constantly changing health regulations that were difficult to interpret, let alone implement. There were moments I sat on the floor after a long day wondering if I could keep doing this.

But I dug deep and decided I wouldn’t give up — not on the families who needed me, and not on the small business I’d built from scratch.

I spent late nights researching safety protocols, updating policies, sourcing cleaning supplies when shelves were bare, and redesigning my entire space to meet distancing and sanitizing requirements. I worked one-on-one with families to meet their individual needs and did everything I could to keep a calm, loving atmosphere for the kids — even when the world outside felt chaotic.

That season pushed me harder than ever before. But it also reminded me why I do this work: to provide stability, care, and connection — especially when it’s needed most.

Coming through that time stronger, more prepared, and more connected to my families showed me that resilience isn’t just about surviving hard times — it’s about rising to meet them with purpose and heart. And I carry that lesson with me every single day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.divineangelsenrichment.com/
• Instagram: Divine Angels Enrichment Center
• Facebook: Divine Angels Enrichment Center