Lauriann Messina and Little Learners Childcare Center

Childcare provider, teacher, mother, wife; what do they all have in common? The answer is passion -- passion for the growth and development of those that you love.

Lauriann Messina exudes that passion and has used it to take her former, at-home daycare service to a now growing childcare center located at the First Calvary Baptist Church.

Messina began her daycare business out of her home 18 years ago after the birth of her first child. She used her Bachelor degree in education, dual major in special education and former work experience in the field to create an environment “where learning and families come together.”

Her at-home business allowed her to help support her family financially while making use of her education and innate desire to work. She went on to have two more sons and continued to grow her business and family at home.

“I created a program that was like a second home for the children but with an education base,” said Messina. “I wanted it cozy and comfortable and for the kids to feel loved, but to learn their pre-K skills and get ready for kindergarten too.”

There were anywhere from six to 10 children in her program. Messina admits that her house was taken over. Thankfully her three boys and husband were understanding and supported her along the way.

There were, without a doubt, sacrifices. Space was sacrificed, time outside the home was restricted, field trips were missed, play dates were a challenge and downtime simply did not exist. The gains, however, were identifiable and Messina loved what she was doing and loved being at home for her own boys each day.

It wasn’t always easy, but Messina was committed to making it work. When, at times, she thought she had taken in her last daycare child, she would always have one more looking to get in the door and then the cycle would start over. Messina couldn’t say no.

When finally three of her current Moms were pregnant at once, she knew she would not have the space to accommodate their newborns. A change had to be made, so Messina began to pursue larger space outside the home. Something that she admits she had never envisioned.

The location at First Calvary became available and she immediately knew that it would be the place for her and her growing childcare family. It was warm, open and welcoming. Taking the leap into this space in September of 2010 was scary and overwhelming, but necessary. It has afforded Messina many benefits and allowed her a welcome sense of separation between work and home. Now her time at home with her family is exclusively theirs and removed of any distractions formerly present with the in home daycare.

Messina’s success comes from her conviction and ability to adjust to change. Sticking with her business despite the challenges has made Messina and her program stronger.

Today, she is excited to have several rooms broken out for infants, toddlers and pre-school and to continue to focus on reading, math, and motor skills. She has a total of 10 staff members and can accommodate up to 39 children from six weeks old to five years old.

Growth in numbers and curriculum at Little Learners is expected, but Messina wants to take this initial phase slowly to ensure that everything is handled carefully and properly.

“I want to be here, I want to stay here and I want to make it work,” she said. ‘I have a lot of people depending on me.”

Messina has created a business that is special and worthwhile on many levels. It is what she loves to do and she is happy to provide her services within the North Andover community that she has been a part of all of her life.

Reflecting on where she was and where she is now, Messina is proud. “Sometimes I walk down the hall and think wow, I’ve done this,” she said, “I’ve taken it from a small business to make some money to survive, to this growing business.” She goes on to clarify that she actually doesn’t see it as a business, “I see it as a love for what I am doing,” she said.

Little Learners Childcare Center is located at 586 Massachusetts Ave. at the 978-689-3669, www.littlelearnerschildcarecenter.com. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.