A Day in the Life: Shannan Ramsay Tells Her Story

About the Author

Malik Brizan-Reed is a multimedia journalist working towards his MA in Journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and is the summer intern at Wiggle Room.?

Meet Shannan Ramsay

New York City, a bustling metropolis that never sleeps, is home to many dedicated individuals. Among them is Shannan Ramsay, the owner of Step with Purpose LLC, a? Family Child Care (FCC) program established in 2005. Shannan's dedication to nurturing young minds and making a positive impact has remained unwavering throughout her journey. Her story began with a family daycare in Williamsburg, which later expanded to a group family daycare in 2009, with a second location in East New York.

In the mid-90s to early 2000s, Shannan found inspiration in the childcare industry. During this period, she worked as a parent counselor for childhood development and a business counselor for childcare providers. Shannan recalls, "The Business Outreach Center hired me to become a business counselor for childcare providers, and before that, I was a parent counselor for Child Development Support Corporation. So I initially started my journey in 1990...The providers who inspired me worked very hard, and they loved what they did. I realized that I also love being connected to the community. So it prompted me to start my own family daycare business."

“It starts with childcare. Without it, [the foundations of child development] will be difficult.” - Shannan Ramsay, Step with Purpose LLC owner.

About Step With Purpose?

Her program caters to a diverse age range, including infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms, offering comprehensive care throughout the year and a summer camp in July and August. For the past 17 years, she has employed summer youth. "We connect with different schools to give high schoolers internships, and I teach them job readiness and entrepreneurship." She adds, "They take the time to do one-on-one with all of the children that need extra work in different areas, whether it's their letters, shapes, numbers, colors."

A typical day at Step with Purpose LLC begins with children signing in through an attendance app, providing parents with real-time updates and information about their child's activities. The day starts with essential routines like handwashing and bathroom breaks, followed by center-time activities that foster exploration, learning, and cognitive growth. Shannan's program emphasizes group activities and outdoor play to promote social interaction and physical development. Artistic expression is also encouraged through creative projects and arts and crafts sessions, enhancing fine motor skills and creativity.

Proper nutrition is a priority for Shannan, and she works hard to provide healthy meals with organic and diverse food options, including whole-grain snacks and abundant fruits and vegetables. Shannan is enrolled in the Child and Adult Care Program (CACFP), which offers reimbursement for a percentage of her expenses.

Balancing Care Work and Life

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for Shannan to prevent burnout. She says, "We cut down on our hours, and I stopped taking calls and emails on Saturdays and Sundays... I don't take any calls once we're closed unless it's an emergency... that has helped me. It took a while for my FCC families and staff to adjust. But now everyone is on the same page."?

In conclusion, Shannan Ramsay's Step With Purpose LLC FCC program offers young children a diverse and enriching experience. From individualized learning to outdoor play and nutritious meals, Shannan's commitment to fostering a nurturing and educational environment is commendable. As we witness the impact of Shannan's dedication, it becomes evident that quality childcare can profoundly shape our children's future.

Check out our IG Reel about Shannan Ramsay!