Today we’d like to introduce you to Charlene Saunders.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
As a graduate student, I completed my externship at a local childcare facility where several parents took the time to compliment how I engaged with their children.
Those conversations were a turning point for me. I realized I could make a greater impact supporting all children rather than offering 1-2 hour weekly sessions to a limited number of children who qualify for speech therapy services.
When I was offered first rights to purchase an existing childcare entity, I decided to bet on myself. We’ve been licensed to operate since 2016.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being an Owner and Director of Operations has come with many challenges. The biggest challenge has been recruiting and retaining qualified educators. We’ve developed robust systems to address this, which maintains the culture of excellence at PLA.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Premier Learning Academy ?
At PLA, we offer a comprehensive early learning experience designed to give every child a strong foundation for success.
What sets us apart is our integrated approach to child development. We combine hands-on learning activities with interactive language and literacy programs, and we’re proud to have an in-house speech pathologist on staff, ensuring children receive specialized support without leaving our care. Our Early Head Start program and Kindergarten BooKcamp bridge critical developmental stages, while our school garden provides real-world learning opportunities.
We also recognize that supporting children means supporting families. We offer family workshops to extend learning beyond our walls and foster strong home-school partnerships.
Our team is made up of a diverse group of qualified educators who bring different perspectives and experiences to our program; their skills complement the enriching learning environments we’ve made accessible for all children.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I believe in preparation meeting opportunity.
The real “luck” has been in the challenges we’ve faced, which forced us to build stronger systems and create staff buy-in around becoming more intentional in everything we do. Those difficult moments—whether staffing challenges, regulatory changes, or unexpected setbacks—have been blessings in disguise. They’ve pushed us to reflect, adapt, and continuously improve, which has made PLA a flagship program amongst stakeholders in the field of early childhood education.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.plamadison.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17zY1j2KAH/?mibextid=wwXIfr
