Exploring Life & Business with Sydney O’Barto-Eller of OBarto STEM & Childcare by O’Barto’s Childcare LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sydney O’Barto-Eller.

Hi Sydney, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Before we opened our in-home daycare in 2022, I was a new college graduate with a Mathematics degree and a five-month-old. My husband, Braydon O’Barto-Eller, a physical education teacher, was our rock during my final semester of college. Finding a job in finance or science was easy, but the real challenge was finding childcare.

There was a crisis in Kansas regarding child care that I was completely unaware of when it came to infants. I toured various in-home daycares and facilities, but unfortunately, the waitlist for infants was extensive, meaning we would likely be waiting a year or two to find a position in 2024.

With my years of childcare and education experience during high school and college, my husband jokingly suggested I open an in-home program. I told him no way! After a month of research and reading regulations—because I don’t proceed without thorough research, emails, phone calls, and so on—I decided to license our house as an in-home childcare business.

Obtaining the license for our newly renovated home was challenging, especially with a tight budget! Purchasing baby gates, child locks, and all the other necessities was no easy feat on a single income, but we made do as best we could. Coordinating appointments with KDHE and the fire marshal and creating a comprehensive business plan while caring for a newborn proved challenging. My family was incredibly supportive during this time.

Fast-forward to the present, my husband and I are collaborating to create a thriving academic program. Over the last three years, we have developed an outstanding program and a clear vision of how we want it to benefit our kids. Specifically, we aim to deliver the curriculum in the most enjoyable way possible for children.

We aim to create a fully immersive experience for children, starting when they enter the building and continuing as they transition through their daily schedules. Our children’s minds are active, and we must address their social, physical, and sensory needs.
We are excited to engage in hands-on STEM projects and provide demonstrations to enhance our students’ understanding of STEM’s impact on society.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There have been many struggles, but each challenge has shaped our journey. Having an independent business embodies the courage to embrace risk and the commitment to support families seeking childcare.

Let’s address the financial realities openly. This childcare business is not just our vocation; it’s our livelihood. Like everyone else, we operate on a tight budget, and the unpredictability of family enrollments can create uncertainty about meeting our financial obligations. Yet, thanks to our careful business practices, we remain resilient, able to adapt and find solutions even as families transition.

Since June 2022, we have come a long way. We started with nothing, and being on one income was incredibly difficult. We barely paid our bills to get by, and starting a childcare business was extremely hard. We did everything from being on the buy-nothing groups for children’s toys to purchasing changing tables from garage sales, plus working with other daycare providers.

At one point, individuals paid tuition dues on Venmo until we had enough to start supplying the Bright Wheel application to families. This application allows families to communicate with us through the application, view pictures and updates on their children, and pay tuition dues.

We have faced challenges in the face of illness that have only strengthened our resolve. From ourselves to our children, we rise to the occasion. As Educators, we embrace a solid vitamin regimen, haha!

This helps foster health and resilience while steering clear of germs. We willingly forgo family outings in crowded places, prioritizing the well-being of everyone in our community. Illness may spread through a childcare business like wildfire, taking time to pass. Still, we are dedicated to maintaining a clean and safe environment, supported by daily cleaning and weekly deep cleaning from a professional cleaning service.

Our journey has inspired us to create a strict illness policy that promotes accountability among providers and parents, ensuring we all contribute to a healthier atmosphere. Ultimately, our commitment to each other means that even when challenges arise, we stand together, understanding that finding backup childcare can be daunting, and together, we thrive.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about OBarto STEM & Childcare by O’Barto’s Childcare LLC?
OBarto STEM & Childcare by O’Barto’s Childcare LLC is a full-time, year-round academic STEM program crafted with passion and purpose.

In finding the perfect program for our daughter, I infused everything I admired with my creativity, designing the ideal environment for children to flourish. As a devoted parent, I dedicate myself to upholding the highest standard of care for every child entrusted to me.

My college journey was vibrant and transformative. I began with a focus on engineering design, then pivoted to education, ultimately earning my B.S. in Mathematics with a minor in Business Economics. My profound love for STEM inspires me to leverage my extensive background in physics and mathematics to create a program every child will cherish.

With my husband’s foundation in Early Childhood Education, his progression to Elementary Education with a focus on Physical Education, and his Master’s in Administration and instruction for curriculum, we combine our strengths to empower each child to thrive in their unique way!

So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
We take pride in our parents recognizing the difference and hard work we invest each day. Even after our doors close, our dedication continues as we use our free time to enhance our program, come up with lessons, guide those who may feel stuck, and help them overcome the obstacles that hinder their learning journey.

Support OBarto STEM & Childcare by O’Barto’s Childcare LLC by sharing social media posts, testimonials, or your child’s experience with others. Your support is invaluable to an independent business striving to thrive!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.obartoschildcarellc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obartoschildcarellc?igsh=MWc4ZTVuYWxtbnR2OA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BC9144Z7x/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@obartoschildcarellc?_t=ZP-8wKAa2ZsSMQ&_r=1