Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenyatta Smith-Simpson.
Hi Kenyatta, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m Kenyatta Smith-Simpson – a mom, wife, educator, and entrepreneur- and my story is rooted in two simple, powerful feelings: the joy of watching my family/community thrive and helping a child to realize “I can do it.”
That moment- whether it’s trying a shoe, achieving a goal, learning a new word, or building confidence- has fueled me for over 28 years.
I started out as a preschool teacher serving federal employees while I was still in college. Even then, I knew this wasn’t just a job – It was my purpose. I later opened a small family childcare program in my home, caring for eight children while finishing my degree at Coppin State University. That season taught me how to nurture both children and my vision at the same time.
From there, I became a Lead Head Start Teacher, pouring into children ages 3 to 5, and then spent 13 years with the State of Maryland as an Early Childhood Development Specialist impacting not just one classroom, but thousands of children, programs and educators across the state. While earning my Master’s at Towson University, I kept hearing the same calling: to build something of my own.
One day, I found a large old, run-down house in Northeast Baltimore. Where others saw a project, I saw possibility of a dream realized. As I toured the space with my amazing realtor Juan Smith, I could hear children laughing before a single wall was painted.
I decided to go for it and invested my entire life savings no bank loans, no financial backing. My husband and I spent 2 years rebuilding that space after work and on weekends, often with my toddler by my side. Piece by piece, from sourcing materials and equipment to late-night renovations, that vision became reality.
Today, that building is Kids Edu Caring Place, an award winning- 24 Hour Childcare and Preschool Center with 6-classrooms serving families here in Baltimore. We provide care from kids Infants to 12 years old. It’s more than a childcare center- it’s a safe community hub and a nurturing environment where children thrive, families feel supported, and educators grow. We are located at 700 Springfield Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21212.
But my story doesn’t stop there.
My greatest inspiration is my son, Kendrick. Together, after my family completed a heritage preservation tour for the half of our lineage from Africa- we returned to America and created a children’s book collection that celebrates the languages, culture, literacy, numeracy, mindfulness and confidence- showing children that their stories matter too.
We have seen firsthand what families face, from unemployment, food insecurity and homelessness. I launched our nonprofit. Edu Care Business Center Inc., which supports women and children with obtaining job training, childcare funding access, food insecurity and finding other essential resources here and on the continent- because when you support a parent, you stabilize the home and change a child’s future. The sale of the books and donations to our nonprofit helps to support us in these efforts.
Helping children to grow. learn and thrive, Supporting families. And building an ecosystem in Baltimore that proves what’s possible with a dream, ingenuity, resilience, dedication and love leading the way.
This journey hasn’t been easy—but it’s been worth every moment. And we’re just getting started.
Thank You For Letting Me Share Our Journey With You And Your Audience!
Here Are Our Links To Support Our Business
Edu Care Business Center Inc. Non Profit Donation Link
https://www.zeffy.com/fundraising/donate-to-make-a-real-difference-for-preschool-children-and-families
Book A Kids Edu Caring Place Enrollment Meeting
KECP Directors Meeting
https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/kecp-virtual-tour-enrollment-m
Support our cause by donating to ECBC or – Buy A Book https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/kidseducaringplace/
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road at all. I shopped for over a year to find the right space. I had to fight for 4 months to get the place through the investors that just wanted a fix and flip. Thankfully the sellers favored home owners so I won! Once purchased, getting estimates and finding reliable and affordable contractors was also difficult. Starting the renovations process while taking care of an infant and working full time was challenging too. Then navigating through the citys permits process and getting security installations was also not easy. But through it all, I never gave up. Just kept going regardless of the bumps bruises and turns that needed to happen to get to the finish line. We Made It!!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a 24 Hour Award Winning Childcare and Preschool serving kids from Infants to 12 years old. We also are a Principal Operated, State Certified Pre-K Program. Offering 24 hour care sets us apart from others. In addition to our wonderful day time child care and preschool program, we are licensed to serve families of Police, Fire/EMS Workers, Warehouse, Doctors, Nurses, Hospital Staff, Truck Driver Postals Staff Etc that work non-traditional hours to have safe and reliable care for their kids while they serve the community.
We offer an amazing program Kids Edu Caring Place LLC. that provides domain based and play based learning experiences. We facilitate the enhancement of cognitive, social emotional, physical, and language development. We are known for providing safe, high quality care early education from knowledgeable certified teachers. We become a part of your family and your partner in your child’s educational journey. We have services like zumba, yoga, cooking, stem. petting zoo, literacy days, dance instruction, field trips and more.
I offer consultations to businesses to help other childcare entrepreneurs and other businesses that would like to expand their programs to navigate the processes successfully.
I facilitate a nonprofit program Edu Care Business Center Inc. to eradicate issues of food insecurity, provide needed supplies and resources.
My 12 year old son and I are children’s book authors and have created a 10 book series. We would love your support with getting the word out for support. Business Names are Kids Edu Caring Place and My sons business is Kidscredible
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Plan carefully and just do it! As a teacher and educator I had been planning and saving for years. Usually teachers are off summers and have to learn how to save money through the school year to sustain them. That helped me to have a good amount of money to be able to set the foundation for this dream that I had. I saved money for years so that when the right opportunity presented itself that I could take advantage of it. When the time came I jumped in with both feet. I had a supportive husband and a job to fall back on if it failed. But even if I didn’t have these things I still would have moved forward. I never had a belief that it would not work out. I just knew it was my purpose and my destiny.
Pricing:
- Schedule enrollment meeting for tuition rate
- Schedule small business consultation for quote
- E-Books and Paperback Books range from $9 to $20
- Donate to Nonprofit to help women and children
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kidseducaringplace.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidseducaringplace
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kidseducaringplace
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@kendrickskorner2511/
