INSPRIRATION

A little about myself.
My name is Jessica Schoettle.  I created Altoona Family Child Care Center in 2009.  I graduated from Fall Creek High School in 2002 and went on to college for a Sales & Marketing Degree.  In 2004 I was blessed with my first child and everything changed.  She was the very first diaper that I ever changed.  I had heard horror stories about "Group" child care centers and there was no way that I was going to take my child to one.  I worked for a while and had family watch her but it was very stressful on them as well as me.  With the help of my husband I decided that I would stay home.  Many friends of mine felt the same way about centers in our area and they would ask me randomly if I would watch their children since I was at home.  I decided that this is something I could do.  I took a few classes here and there to learn a little more about early childhood programs and how to teach young children.  I had a few more parents who were interested in having their children spend the days with me so I ended up getting certified as an in-home family provider.  At that point we had more interest so we became licensed.  In May of 2007 my father and I were speaking and I was telling him my dilema.  The state of WI would only allow you to have 8 children in your home and I needed more room.  He came up with the idea of opening a larger center.  My father has always inspired me to do more and to make a difference in the world.  He was a police officer for over 30 years for Eau Claire County and has seen a lot.  Good along with the Bad.  He has shared some stories and kept others very private.  The stories that he has told have made me want to make the world a better place and what better place to start than in early childhood.  I worked for over 2 years on building a "Group" child care center when I came across this building in Altoona.  It was perfect.  It needed a little TLC but I could definately handle that.  My husband and I cleaned and remodeled day in and day out for the next few months.  We opened the center on July 27th, 2009 and have been going strong ever since.  My family has made this all possible and I thank my mother and father everyday for the help that they have given me.  Hopefully we too can help a child or a family and make a difference in their lives.