Building relationships with children and their families is what drives Erica Freelove’s passion for her job as regional administrator of The Beanstalk Child Care in Waynesboro.
“We take our time to develop foundational skills here and communicate with parents what they can do at home,” she added.
Freelove was director of Today’s New Start Learning Center (TNS) on Walnut Street in Waynesboro that opened its doors in January 2021 “to provide an educational and loving environment for children.” The center merged with The Beanstalk when TNS owners Jaye Ancruem and the Rev. Donald Blanks bought the Hamilton Avenue business in September. “The Beanstalk was going to shut down and the owners contacted Donald to see if he was interested in buying it. He couldn’t see the parents not having available child care and he was looking to expand in the community,” according to Freelove.
The former teacher said she’s “always been around children. My dad had an in-home day care. I’m from a big family and I married into a big family and being in the profession, I see that this works … this works. It’s amazing to see these kids grow and learn,” she noted, and her outlook aligns with The Beanstalk’s vision to “constantly strive to create a warm and nurturing environment.”
Today’s New Start offered child care for children ages 2 to 5, and the owners had planned to expand to include infants through school-age children. With the merger, the dream has become a reality, Freelove added. The Beanstalk also has three passenger vans to transport children who attend Fairview, Mowrey and Summitview elementary schools in the Waynesboro Area School District, as well as Greencastle-Antrim Elementary School, to and from the center. “We also offer transportation for children in our care who are enrolled in other preschool programs. If we can make it work, then we do it.”
With the merger came change, the most notable being a different building, Freelove said. “We’re working through it and making it clear that we are doing our best to make this a smooth transition. It’s all about the kids and we have built strong relationships with our families.”
The center is open to all children, but participates in the Pennsylvania child subsidy program for families that need child care and could benefit from the additional financial support. A full-time cook provides breakfast, lunch and morning and afternoon snacks for the children, a program aso subsidized by the state.
Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday for full- and part-time care. “We have a huge playground and the kids go on walks,” added Freelove.
