Describe your business:
At Sunshine Preschool & daycare (Since 2014), we provide daycare and offer a preschool curriculum that provides an environment of fun, love, and growth for children. Our program is designed to encourage learning one step at a time by introducing language, math, science, and social skills in a natural sequence. Preschoolers are given individual attention suited to their unique needs, allowing them to explore science experiments, create artwork, and engage in other fun activities. Each day, your child will delve into a variety of topics, including but not limited to simple addition and subtraction, creating patterns, learning English alphabets, entry-level reading, singing rhymes, and exploring various forms of artwork.
Why did you choose this profession?
Beginning as a tutor during my high school years sparked my interest in working with children. I found myself naturally at ease and comfortable in such an environment. It was this experience that ultimately led me to establish my own Preschool & daycare.
What inspired you to open this business?
I strongly believe that every child should have access to a secure, caring, and stimulating environment that fosters their growth and allows them to reach their full potential. Being a Preschool & daycare owner enables me to contribute a small part to this process, by providing a place where children can play and learn while their parents are busy with work or other matters.
Witnessing the children in my Preschool & daycare grow and develop over time, establishing relationships with them and their families, and making a positive impact in their lives are some of the most fulfilling experiences of running a Preschool & daycare.
What was it like when you first started?
Starting my Preschool & daycare proved to be an experience that was both nerve-wracking and thrilling. Although I was ecstatic at the chance to establish a secure and engaging education setting for children, I recognized the extensive duty and accountability that running a Preschool & daycare entailed. As I was responsible for being a teacher, a cook, and a custodian, I had to find balance between managing the requirements of my family and the youngsters under my care. Fortunately, I received unwavering support from my family throughout the entire process. Even when self-doubt crept in, I remained unwavering in my determination to provide my clients with exceptional service. Observing the growth of the Preschool & daycare and the need for my services provided me with a great sense of pride and achievement. I still put a great deal of my efforts and passion into running the Preschool & daycare to this day.
What drives you to do what you do? What motivates you?
I am motivated by the idea that every child should have the opportunity to grow up and be their best selves. Seeing children happy, hearing their laughter, and watching them learn and progress bring me a lot of joy. I strive to create a wonderful environment for the children in my care, giving them the tools, they need to learn for life, and allowing parents to focus on their own work knowing their children are well cared for. This sense of purpose is what motivates me to come to work every day.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Seeing children smile as they learn new things, make friends, and develop vital life skills is incredibly fulfilling. I derive joy from establishing strong bonds with families and cultivating a sense of community. The affection the children show, and their willingness to approach and communicate with me is amazing and warms my heart. Establishing trust with these young learners is especially rewarding, making me feel purposeful and glad to be doing the work I do.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face?
As a Preschool & daycare owner, there are a number of challenges that come up routinely. One of the biggest is making sure that all children in my care are safe and healthy. I have to stay up to date with safety protocols and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies or illnesses.
Another challenge is creating a program that appeals to a broad range of ages, needs, and abilities. This involves planning and implementing diverse activities that keep children entertained, engaged and help them to reach their developmental milestones.
Finally, keeping up with administrative tasks, such as record keeping and compliance can be time-consuming and tedious, but they are necessary to keep the operation running smoothly.
What are your long-term goals for your business, and how do you plan to achieve them?
My aim as a Preschool & daycare owner is to establish a successful business that offers quality care and enriches the lives of the children and families in our community. To achieve this objective, I am committed to regularly assessing and improving my Preschool & daycare’s operations and services. Maintaining efficiency and effectiveness in all aspects of the business remains a priority. Building relationships and collaboration with other local businesses and organizations to develop strong community bonds is also critical to achieving long-term success. By prioritizing the needs and interests of our community, we hope to make a positive impact on the lives of children and parents for years to come.
How did you find Mountain House?
In 2014, my family and I initiated a search for a new residence around San Ramon. The apartment we previously stayed in became small for us and the children, making it impossible to accommodate all of us. Despite our love for San Ramon, we were unable to afford the high cost of housing in the area. Therefore, we expanded our search to neighboring areas like Livermore. During a visit to Shea Homes office with one of our friends in Livermore, we were advised to consider Mountain House instead. This turned out to be a life-changing decision since we fell in love with the neighborhood and quickly bought a new home here.
How was the community when you came here during that time?
When we first moved to Questa village, we found it to be an exquisite community. I was particularly drawn to the large central parks and prospect of it getting bigger with 11 different villages. The friendly and welcoming atmosphere of Mountain House is something I appreciate, along with the exceptional schools that have impressive ratings. Additionally, the Mountain House community pages on Facebook have been a valuable resource for me, as they provide a wealth of information for anyone seeking assistance.
The school and the community drove you here, in addition to the referral you got from the person back then in Livermore?
Yes, that is accurate. Furthermore, we were able to afford Mountain House, unlike the steep pricing of the Bay Area.
Fast Forward to 2023, how has the community changed?
Over the past nine years, the Mountain House community has experienced rapid growth, witnessing the addition of new neighborhoods along with various commercial spaces such as a gas station, Safeway, and smaller shops. The pride of the community is the newly constructed library.
What makes San Ramon and Mountain House unique and different from each other?
We lived in a small apartment community in San Ramon. San Ramon is a city whereas MH is more of a closed community. In Mountain House everybody is new and eager to make friends and build a community. I was looking for someone I can relate with and have playdates for my kids and pursue common interests. To my surprise, within a week, I met so many good people in Mountain House with whom I have been friends with for almost 10 years.
How did you do it? Was it just neighbors or a Facebook Group?
The Facebook group for the Mountain House community played a significant role in helping me build new connections and friendships. Attending the various community events such as the 4th of July parade, Diwali celebrations, pancake events, library events, farmers’ markets, and even local supermarkets also provided me with ample opportunities to meet new people and broaden my social circle.
How would you characterize the sense of community and neighborly atmosphere here?
Having lived here for 9 years, I can attest that the sense of community and neighborly atmosphere is strong and welcoming in our MH community. Everyone seems to be on friendly terms and happy to lend a helping hand whenever needed. People here are respectful and considerate of each other’s privacy yet are always ready to socialize and share community experiences, which have felt incredibly enriching. Whether it’s potluck dinners, block parties, or neighborhood garage sales, there is always something going on to bring people together and create a tight-knit community feel. In short, I feel proud and lucky to belong to this wonderful community and the kindhearted people who make it a warm and uplifting place to live.
Are there any local events or festivals that bring the community together?
Yes, there are a good number of local events and celebrations at Mountain House like 4th of July parade, Diwali celebrations, pancake events, Music events, library events, farmers’ markets.
San Ramon didn’t have anything like that?
They didn’t have it in my apartment community.
What are some of the top-rated schools that you like in this area?
The schools within the Lammersville Unified School District (LUSD) are well-regarded.
My children attended Questa and Hansen Elementary school. My older daughter is in MH high school and both of them like their schools.
How would you describe the overall safety and security measures within the community?
As a resident, I can say that I currently feel secure in Mountain House. While the community has seen a few incidents of break-ins and car part thefts in the past, these occurrences have been sporadic. However, the public safety officials have taken steps to address the situation by increasing patrols and responding promptly to non-emergency calls. As a result, the situation has significantly improved, and the community can feel more at ease.
How do residents engage with local government or have a voice in the community decisions?
We have local community meetings at the Mountain House Community Services District which I have attended a couple of times. So those meetings are good so that we can know what is going on in Mountain House and we can ask questions on any concerns in the area. We get good information there because sometimes if you don’t go, you don’t know what is happening. It is important for each individual in Mountain House to attend these meetings and discuss what’s happening too. We are also asking about the police, and we will keep talking about it till we see it happen.
What are some of the family friendly features or activities that make this community attractive for parents?
The community of Mountain House is bursting with life and activity, offering a range of amenities such as parks, a library, water fountains, and a farmers’ market. The people who inhabit this place have diverse passions and hobbies, so it’s easy to find new friends with whom you can connect over shared interests such as running, sports, biking, walking, baking, and more. We definitely need a few swimming pools in Mountain House for both recreation and swimming classes for all age groups.
