Copyright Norfolk Virginian-Pilot
Since high school, Sheila Stratton knew she wanted to be a wife, mom and caregiver. She said her passion for children was undeniable, so she dedicated herself to hands-on learning. She worked as a nanny, opened an in-home day care and took every class and training available to focus on her dream to one day build and own a child care center. In 2011, Stratton renovated a former KinderCare building and opened Le Bon Enfants on 313 Edwin Drive near Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach. The center serves 90 children with a support staff of 28 and one full-time cook. In September, Stratton built and opened her second child care center in a new 8,800-square-foot facility at 1957 Laskin Road near Hilltop. “I’ve been wanting to do this my whole life,” she said. It took 14 months for Stratton to secure a $5 million Small Business Administration loan to build the center. The new location can accommodate 133 children. “I personally designed this building to feel like a home away from home,” she said. “It offers the warmth and comfort of a family setting while providing the socialization of a large child care center.” Stratton said the centers are intentionally designed to feel like home with full-sized cribs, Pottery Barn bedding and classrooms furnished with high-quality items parents would choose for their own playrooms or nurseries. Also, Le Bon Enfants provides a dedicated lunchroom where children eat together, just like a family. Stratton said she believes true child care should include all the necessities. Le Bon Enfants provides meals, diapers, wipes and nap necessities to make drop-offs seamless for the families. The center offers child care from infancy to age 5. “Our centers are also among the most affordable large programs in Virginia Beach, especially considering everything we provide,” she said. “Unlike corporate-owned facilities or franchise centers bound by rigid policies, Le Bon Enfants is independently owned. This allows us to put families first, control costs responsibly, and maintain flexibility in how we care for our children.” Details: 757-904-1150, lebonenfants.com
