We were lucky to catch up with Sabrina Baker recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sabrina, thrilled to have you on the platform as I think our readers can really benefit from your insights and experiences. In particular, we’d love to hear about how you think about burnout, avoiding or overcoming burnout, etc.
This is such a great question. I have recently overcome the feeling of burnout by taking a day off at least once a month, and telling myself that after 7 pm all remaining work that is not urgent can wait until the next day. With my Preschool program running for 8 hours a day for 5 days I have lots of tasks to complete in such a short time. I have learned that keeping a calendar of events both written out and placed on my phone helps me stay on task and also to help me to look forward to fun events to come.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My name is Sabrina Baker. I am the owner, founder, and lead Preschool teacher of Creative Xpressions Preschool for the Arts, and Creative Tots Art & Playgroup. I am committed to helping young children explore and learn through an art-based curriculum with hands-on play-based activities that teach students positive social and emotional interactions.
In August 2021, Our doors opened to my art, music, yoga, and play-based preschool at the Day Street Community Center in East Stroudsburg, PA. Since opening, I have served over 20 families in my preschool program since beginning. In such a short time and with dozens of inquiries daily in August 2023, CXPA expanded our permanent preschool location to my private residence in downtown Stroudsburg, PA. I provide part-time and full-time Preschool and Kindergarten readiness programs Monday through Friday all year round.
Looking onward into 2024 I am very excited to partner with various community organizations including Angels & Dragonflies Children’s Charity, a 501(c) non-profit organization that provides free infant products and free gently used children’s toys to families in Monroe & Pike Counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
My preschool program has also partnered with Christ Episcopal Church of Stroudsburg, PA’s Food Pantry program. Their partnership ensures that currently enrolled students and their families in her program can twice monthly receive food backpacks to prevent food insecurities outside of childcare hours. The church also provides our program an open play space to use during the colder months when they are unable to have outdoor playtime free of charge.
Beginning in January 2024 I am very excited to announce that the officially opening of Creative Tots art and playgroup program will open. This program is for all families in Monroe, Pike, Northampton, and Lehigh counties of Pennsylvania for FREE! During our 90-minute weekly session, families will have the opportunity to receive valuable information about local events, resources, and government assistance programs available to them. The goal of this program is to empower families with a fun, encouraging, and safe space to grow together, create new friendships, and help families feel that no matter their circumstances they have options!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The three most important areas of knowledge that i deeply believe impacted my journey thus far would have to be ;
1. Community Networking
2. Continuing my education
3. Continuously expanding my knowledge in business
My advice for community networking would be; When any local community event that allows vendors to have a table or city/ township meetings open to the public would benefit “YOU” greatly. These events provide an opportunity to get to know who you could seek mentorship from or even later down the line seek a partnership with. Networking has helped me grow and gain support for my business because now other members of the community have grown to know who I am, and why my business can help support our community.
The second and third areas of knowledge tend to go hand in hand with one another. Continuing my education in both the early childhood education field and expanding my knowledge in business has helped me feel more confident in being a business owner and an educator. When speaking to potential clients I feel empowered that I am giving them the correct information and building that trustful relationship so that even if they choose not to take my childcare services, they can still feel comfortable to ask questions in the future. I have had many clients turn me down, and later come back and choose my program because I ensured a high-quality program and up-front communication and transparency that no one else in my area has done.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I would absolutely love to collaborate with others in the early childhood education field, including childcare owners, teachers, online teachers, program directors, or anyone who understands my passion and enjoys what my programs offer to the local community. If you would be interested in partnering with me please feel free to message me via Facebook or Instagram through my preschool page or email me directly at Cxartspreschool@gmail.com. I’m looking forward to making some new connections.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cxartspreschool.wixsite.com/cxpa
- Instagram: @cxartspreschool
- Facebook: Creative Xpressions Preschool for the Arts
Image Credits
All images have been taken by Ms.Sabrina and have been approved by all parents of cxartspreschool.
