Connect
To Top

Community Highlights: Meet Shanekca Barrow of Sunshine Smiling Faces Learning Center LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanekca Barrow.

Hi Shanekca, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My journey as a dedicated mother to two young adult daughters and a long-time employee at Miami-Dade County Public Schools has led me to teaching. While raising my children, I always cherished the dream of establishing my own preschool. Years ago, I even started a home daycare, but the demands of motherhood and limited resources meant putting that aspiration on hold. My daughters’ well-being was, and always will be, my top priority.

I relocated from Miami to Lauderhill and quickly became active members of our Homeowners Association. It was through this involvement that I recognized a significant gap: the absence of youth programs within our community. Driven by a desire to contribute, I explored the possibility of initiating one. This led me to become a vendor with the City of Lauderhill, where I submitted a proposal. I was thrilled when my bid was approved, resulting in a five-year contract. This marked the beginning of my seasonal youth program.

Building on this success, I obtained my childcare license and now operate an aftercare program. My long-held dream of opening my own preschool is also coming to fruition, with plans to launch it by the end of this year. Since 2023, I’ve been proudly serving my community through these programs.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
While the vision for Sunshine Smiling Faces Learning Center has always been clear, one early challenge was securing the ideal space that could truly foster our community-focused activities.

My search for a location truly tested my patience, but it ultimately led me to focus on creating something impactful within my community.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Sunshine Smiling Faces Learning Center, we believe that education is the bedrock of a thriving community. More than just supervision, we offer a carefully crafted journey of discovery, guided by my 23 years experience.

This experience allows me to curate a curriculum that’s both engaging and developmentally rigorous, ensuring children are not just entertained, but truly learning and growing.

We specialize in blending a robust, developmentally appropriate curriculum with a strong emphasis on community give-back. This isn’t just a side project; it’s woven into the fabric of our learning.

Children learn the joy and importance of contributing to their community through age-appropriate projects and activities.

What sets us apart is my direct, hands-on involvement as the owner and as a teacher.

This ensures a level of educational expertise and personalized attention that’s often missing in larger centers.

Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed and constantly evolving based on best practices and my extensive classroom experience.

Furthermore, our commitment to affordability ensures that high-quality in education is accessible to more families.

Brand-wise, I am most proud of the genuine sense of community we foster.

It’s not just within our center among the children and families, but also the connection we build with the wider community through our give-back initiatives.

Seeing our young learners develop empathy and a desire to make a positive impact is incredibly rewarding.

What I want you to know about Sunshine Smiling Faces Learning Center is that we are more than just a place for children to spend their day.

We are laying the foundation for lifelong learning and responsible citizenship.

We offer a rich, engaging curriculum, delivered with the expertise of an experienced educator, at an accessible price, all while instilling the vital value of community contribution. We believe in nurturing bright minds and kind hearts.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
At Sunshine Smiling Faces Learning Center, we believe in creating a nurturing and loving environment where your children will thrive.

We cherish each child as if they were our own, and when you become a part of our center, you join a family dedicated to their growth and well-being.

Pricing:

  • Summer Camp Fee $115.00 weekly
  • Aftercare Fee $75.00 weekly

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in Local Stories

  • Community Highlights:

    The community highlights series is one that our team is very excited about.  We’ve always wanted to foster certain habits within...

    Local StoriesSeptember 8, 2021
  • Heart to Heart with Whitley: Episode 4

    You are going to love our next episode where Whitley interviews the incredibly successful, articulate and inspiring Monica Stockhausen. If you...

    Whitley PorterSeptember 1, 2021
  • Introverted Entrepreneur Success Stories: Episode 3

    We are thrilled to present Introverted Entrepreneur Success Stories, a show we’ve launched with sales and marketing expert Aleasha Bahr. Aleasha...

    Local StoriesAugust 25, 2021