Since her mother founded Creative Minds Child Development Center in 1999, Director Anna Haller said the program has aimed to create well-rounded kids.
After a career in banking that took her to the Philippines and starting a family of her own, Haller returned to Creative Minds to take over as director. She said the family-run aspect of the center is crucial.
“What makes us stand out is that we're family-owned,” she said. “When people come through our doors, they just feel like family, and that's how we want it to be because we are caring for your children.”
What they offer
The center, which offers programs for children ages six weeks to 12 years old, uses a “play-based” curriculum that engages kids while also helping them learn, Haller said. Creative Minds is accredited by both state and national organizations. It also earned a four-star rating from the Texas Workforce Commission—the highest possible ranking for a child care program.
“Our curriculum starts as early as the baby room, because we find that if we start early, we just build on those skills,” she said. “They develop their love of learning and become good learners.”
The building itself now takes up several units in a shopping center and includes classrooms, an indoor gym and an outdoor play area. Younger kids can participate in all-day pre-kindergarten activities, and during the school year, ages 6 through 12 can visit after school.
What else?
Creative Minds also hosts summer camps, parent engagement activities and community events. Haller said she recently hosted a market for local vendors in the gym and hopes to host more events. She also said the center does supply drives and fundraisers to benefit the Sugar Land community and welcomes volunteers.
“People come in and read to the children, like the fire department, police and people who work with the city,” Haller said. “We welcome anybody with a background check that wants to come and spend some time with the children. We like to partner with the community.”
Also of note
One of the center’s recent community partnerships connected it with a local charter school to offer free pre-k to three and four year olds, Haller said.
“We want every child to have every opportunity,” she said. “We exist to serve the children and to serve our community. That is the legacy that my mom started, and that's the legacy that I continue to this day, 27 years later.”
