About Sunny Patch
Sunny Patch Learning Center is an established organization that provides childcare services in Flint, MI. It was founded in 2009 by Annette Hughes, who decided to expand from an in-home childcare center. Sunny Patch Learning Center began in two former Flint Board of Education school buildings at the 1160 Donaldson Blvd. location. Since then, the center has expanded to an additional location, G3393 Clio Rd. In 2013, Sunny Patch expanded again to include a preschool program with Genesee County’s Great Start Readiness Program.
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Sunny Patch Early Learning Center provides a FREE, quality preschool education to children aged 4 at the Donaldson location. Transportation is also available for children through the program. Sunny Patch Learning Center aims to always offer safe and secure childcare. We believe that close personal attention to each child is essential to providing a quality experience for all children; therefore, adequate personnel are hired to ensure each child has proper supervision while in our care. Our top priority is to provide quality services while meeting the needs of families who enter our facilities.
Shaneka Williams
Clio Director
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Shaneka has been working in childcare and employed with Sunny Patch for over 10 years. She started a career in childcare after enrolling her daughter in Sunny Patch Learning Center. She noticed that the staff was amazing and treated her daughter as one of their own. Shortly after they became like family. Once she began volunteering at the center, she noticed how much childcare made a difference from both perspectives. She already knew how much she appreciated the center from a parent’s point of view, but she also learned how much the children and their families appreciated the staff caring for their children. Shaneka’s favorite part about being a director is knowing that she is making a difference and watching the children grow. “Don’t let today’s drama stop tomorrow’s progress.”
Our Directors
Annette Hughes
Owner of Sunny Patch and Director at Donaldson
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Sunny Patch Learning Center was established in 2008 by Annette Hughes and opened for operation in 2009. Annette has been working in the childcare field for about 19 years. Since then, she has earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in early childhood education. She was inspired to work in the childcare field because when her children were young, she struggled to find proper care for them. After she and her husband purchased her first home, she became a stay-at-home mom and started to babysit for close family and friends. This experience led her to start research on the protocol required to become a licensed home provider. Once she became a licensed home provider, she moved on to increasing her education and opening centers outside of the home. Annette’s favorite aspect of her position is being able to learn something new every day and having a proud parent or child let you know that you are doing a great job of having them in your care. “Be the change that you wish to see in others.” -Gandhi
