Small Business Spotlight - Education Station & Preschool

 

About Us:

My lifelong best-friend, Krista Frey, and I, Kristin Birdsey, both have our degrees from the University of Florida in Education (Go Gators!)! After working at some other local daycares, we felt strongly that we could create something that would be more than just daycare. Together in 2010 we opened Education Station & Preschool, a childcare facility serving families with children ages 6-weeks to 5-years. In the years since, we’ve grown our school to full enrollment, and a year-long waiting list! We are proud to be a woman-owned and operated small business!

Our Philosophy:

Our goal is to provide the highest quality of care and education for every child, while ensuring that each child and all families feel valued and respected. We really believe that when you make people feel at home and treat customers like they’re family, everyone wins. 

Our Passion for Giving:

We’re local girls! We were born here; we grew up here! Both Krista and I are products of this community and we take a lot of pride in that. Being able to give back to it on a local level feels right! Our United Way’s Community Investment Fund supports so many different local agencies, all helping to improve the quality of life for residents here, which is good for all of us. We’re so grateful to be in a position where we are able to help the next generation of Gainesville’s children. Paying it forward always offers a positive return on investment!

Fun Facts about Us:

Since we’ve been friends and Gators forever, Krista and I go to at least one away Gator game every season (sometimes more, if we’re lucky)! Together as Gator Fans we’ve traveled to Baton Rouge and New Orleans, LA, Columbia, SC., Tuscaloosa, AL, Atlanta, GA, and College Station, TX. This year’s trip will take us to Fayetteville, AK to watch the Gators beat the Razorbacks!

Advice for Our Younger Selves:

Kristin: My older self would tell my younger self quite a bit! (There would be sooo many make-up tips!!!) I’m not sure how willing my younger self would be to listen, but I think she should know that growth is always possible; no matter the current state, everything can grow and blossom!

Krista: I would love for younger-Krista to know that other people’s opinions don’t matter. You’re the one that has to live with yourself and the consequences of your choices, so make them count!

Favorite Quotes:

Kristin: ”It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." -Fredrick Douglas & "No matter who you are, no matter what you did, no matter where you've come from, you can always change, become a better version of yourself.” -Madonna

Krista: “The best teachers are those who show you where to look, but don’t tell you what to see.” -Alexandra K. Trenfor & “Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!” -Dr. Seuss

 

To learn more about Education Station & Preschool, visit their website at: www.educationstationandpreschool.com or find them on Facebook at:

www.facebook.com/esandp

 


Small businesses play a critical role in maintaining a thriving local economy. They are no less important to the success of United Way, as we endeavor to improve lives through our work in education, income, and health. Our Small Business Partners are an important, growing family of donors, who are vital to helping us meet the needs of our community.

To learn more about how you and your business can support United Way, contact Chris Wells at cwells@unitedwayncfl.org or (352) 316-0666.