Business Overview

A Safe Place provides childcare services to residents living in Raleigh City and Wake County and to those employed in the Raleigh area. A Safe Place started as a family childcare home in Raleigh, and then converted into a childcare center. A Safe Place childcare center now has two locations serving children aged infant to 5 years, as well as children involved in after school care.

Mrs. Kimberly Shaw is the owner and operator of A Safe Place. Mrs. Shaw founded the family home in August 1997 and the business has been growing ever since. Mrs. Shaw began childcare operations out of the family residence. One year after inception, the Shaws had to renovate and expand to their home to meet demand for the quality care she provided.

A Safe Place is licensed for children on first, second, and third shifts. A Safe Place was the first childcare home in Raleigh to achieve a Five Star Rating and nationally accreditation standard, the highest level of performance, by the NC Division of Child Development. Background information on the business is available at the Division of Child Development.

Mrs. Shaw's reasons for expansion are based on the ever-increasing demand for "quality child care" within Wake County. Wake County is a very integral part of the rapidly growing and progressively affluent Raleigh/Durham metropolitan area. The county has seen a large influx of new migrants to the county because of employment in Raleigh and the Research Triangle Park. Many of these newcomers are young families in need of childcare. Mrs. Shaw's reputation as a quality childcare provider is well known in the Raleigh area and the company has obtained an extensive waiting list of families.

Mrs. Shaw understands the importance of childcare. She is a strong advocate that crucial aspects of child development begin in the early years and the way a child is nurtured plays a huge role in how the brain chooses to wire itself for life. She strives to provide families and their children with a positive experience, laying a solid foundation and training for living.

Through its childcare services, A Safe Place provides activities that create opportunities for children to learn about themselves in a safe and healthy environment, provides a loving atmosphere that supports the development of self-esteem and self-confidence, and provides good models and tools to be successful in life. These attitudes and philosophies for doing business have enabled A Safe Place to become the success it is today and management is confident the same processes will continue into business expansion.

The center will maintain a safe and secure environment while providing enlightening educational exposure. The center's staff will focus on helping the children to:

* Work and plan independently..
* Accept both help and direction from adults.
* Develop their use of language skills.
* Exercise curiosity in solving problems.
* Comprehend mathematical concepts.
* Widen their knowledge of the world.
* Develop physical coordination and skills.
* Learn to work with others.
* View themselves as competent and valuable citizens within our society.