Today we’d like to introduce you to India Ivery.
Hi India, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Lin’s Kids Childcare & Prekindergarten Program began as an in-home childcare service in the Belair-Frankford/Gardenville area in 2006 (4013 Chesmont Ave, Baltimore, MD 21206), founded and operated by Chanta Brown Ivery.
In 2015, Chanta took a leap of faith and transitioned the program into a center-based model at 2107 Mura Street, Baltimore, MD 21213. What makes serving families in this area especially meaningful is the deep personal connection—our center is just two blocks from Chanta’s childhood home in East Baltimore (2217 Heneman Ave). Although parts of that block have since been redeveloped, our presence in the community reflects a full-circle commitment to reinvest and serve the very neighborhood that helped shape our foundation.
In 2024, we formally expanded into Lin’s Kids Childcare & Prekindergarten Program with a clear and purposeful mission: to provide a safe, nurturing, and high-quality learning environment for children and families in our community. What began as a small, family-centered program has grown into a licensed early learning center serving infants through pre-kindergarten, grounded in strong relationships and a commitment to excellence. Through funding from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Prekindergarten Expansion Grant, we are able to offer free, full-day (6.5 hours), 180-day Pre-K services at no cost to families. Our program includes meals, a certified early childhood teacher, and developmentally appropriate instruction tailored to meet the diverse needs of each child.
Our program is led by a mother-daughter team, and we pride ourselves on leading with both professionalism and heart.
Over time, I have invested deeply in both my education and the quality of our program—earning advanced degrees in early childhood education, aligning instruction to Maryland standards, and implementing research-based curriculum and assessments. As our reputation for quality has grown, so has our impact—expanding enrollment, strengthening family partnerships, and increasing access to high-quality early learning.
In 2026, we took another major step forward by acquiring a second location at 1201 N. Collington Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21213, where we will continue to expand services for families and children in East Baltimore.
Today, we are growing with intention. Through our expansion, Lin’s Kids Childcare Center: Future Leaders in Progress Early Learning Center, we are working to serve more children, support more families, and contribute to a stronger, more equitable early learning system in Baltimore City with enrollment opening Fall 2026.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has been steady, guided by faith, persistence, prayer, hard work, and heart work.
Along the way, we have navigated the challenges that come with growth. These growing pains pushed us to rise to the occasion—expanding into a larger facility and successfully navigating the licensing, zoning, and regulatory processes required to operate through the Maryland State Department of Education Office of Child Care. As a result, we are now able to support children from 6 weeks through age 12 in a licensed, high-quality learning environment.
We’ve been impressed with Lin’s Kids Childcare Center, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Lin’s Kids Childcare & Prekindergarten Program is a licensed early learning center serving children from 6 weeks through pre-kindergarten, with a strong focus on preparing our youngest learners for long-term success. We provide full-day childcare, free Pre-K programming through the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Expansion Grant, and wrap-around care designed to meet the needs of working families.
We specialize in high-quality, developmentally appropriate early childhood education that is both structured and nurturing. Our classrooms are grounded in research-based curriculum, aligned to Maryland Early Learning Standards, and supported by ongoing assessment tools to ensure every child is growing academically, socially, and emotionally. We are known for our strong instructional practices, intentional lesson planning, and our commitment to meeting each child where they are.
What truly sets us apart is our balance of quality education and genuine care. We pride ourselves on being a “home away from home” while maintaining high expectations for learning and development. Our program is deeply rooted in community—we are not just located in East Baltimore, we are from East Baltimore, and that connection shapes how we show up for families every day.
We are also proud of our leadership and growth. As a mother-daughter led program, we bring both experience and innovation to our work. Over the years, we have expanded our services, increased access to free Pre-K seats, and are now growing into a second location to serve even more families through our Future Leaders in Progress initiative.
Brand-wise, we are most proud of the trust we have built with families and our reputation for quality. Families choose Lin’s Kids because they know their children are safe, supported, and truly learning. Our goal is not just to provide childcare—but to build a strong educational foundation and partner with families to raise confident, capable, and future-ready leaders.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’m not a believer in luck—I believe in faith, protection, and purpose. Every step of my journey has been guided by prayer, discipline, and a deep commitment to the work.
What some may call “good luck,” I see as alignment—being prepared when opportunities present themselves and having the courage to move when it’s time. And what others may see as “bad luck,” I view as lessons or redirection—moments that strengthen our foundation and refine our vision.
In business and in life, I’ve learned that consistency, faith, and hard work will carry you further than luck ever could. Our growth hasn’t been by chance—it’s been intentional, covered, and built step by step with both strategy and heart.
Pricing:
- Tuition rates vary by age group and are based on the number of hours and type of care provided, including full-day and extended care options.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.linskidschildcare.com
- Instagram: linskidschildcare
- Facebook: Lin’s Kids Childcare
