Mary Goodwill or, as the children in her care lovingly refer to her, Miss Mary, has been in the caretaker business for decades. Goodwill is an expert in field understanding the need for quality childcare and the facility to provide access to these services in the area of the city that desperately needs the support.
As the wife of a Marine, Mary traveled the country and provided child care on military bases. Later Goodwill returned home to the city she knows and loves, founding Mary’s Little Lambs Childcare. Miss Mary is dedicated to providing quality care for all families, and with her new endeavor of opening a child care center on the city’s East Side, she is doing just that.
“Our promise is to not only to care for the children but to care about them,” says Goodwill. Through the assistance of the Excelsior Growth Fund's small business loan program, the facility has eight classrooms, a therapy room, and a full kitchen providing the children in her care with full access to all they need in a quality environment.
“It is our desire to provide a loving environment that each child will be able to flourish in emotionally, and educationally, being completely prepared for school,” Goodwin shares. “Our extended hours, from 6 am to midnight will allow working families to have one consistent provider to meet their needs and ensure healthy meals and remarkable care is given in both the traditional and evening hours.”
Goodwill’s care doesn’t stop when the children leave the door. This mother of two shares how she frequently attends and testifies on behalf of children in her care and how proud she was when she was able to attend a high school graduation party for one of her graduated ‘little lambs.'
“We consider our job of caring for their children as an honor and a privilege,” says Goodwill, “and the children become a member of our family.”
This piece sponsored by Excelsior Growth Fund.