For four years, we had a center that our kids absolutely loved, and that we loved. It was almost like a hidden gem. We said (and meant) we would drive however far to keep our kids with them until they aged out. We were devastated to learn that the church had voted to end the childcare program, while instantly having a gut feeling that something greater was to come.  At that time, it was a simple phrase from one of the staff, "I just don't feel like God's done with me yet!" that prompted us, and other families, to begin praying for them, "What's next?"

  Brookside was born after we had our kids with an amazing team of caregivers from 8 weeks old. When we met them, there was no question in our minds that we wanted our kids with this group. The center was peaceful (a preschool… peaceful!) and the sweet spirits of the staff made us feel instantly at home. One of the staff members welcomed us with a kind, humble smile when we randomly popped in and gladly gave us the initial tour. All the kids looked so happy and comfortable in their environment. The staff exuded experience and love for the kids. We saw the care in action when we met Mrs. Gay, the caregiver who would be with our baby girl in the infant room—loving on the babies just as she always does. Aside from being loved on so well, our children learned so much!

  Fast forward four years, and in January, we received notice that the church housing the center had voted to end the childcare program in May. Little did any of us know that God was up to something really amazing! We eventually realized that God had been preparing people and facilities for Brookside for years, with everything falling into place in His timing in a beautiful way, just like He always does. When the discussions became serious, we ALL agreed that "this center" HAD to be AMAZING in every way, or we were out. We had no interest in just making more childcare openings at the status quo. We knew this was going to be something GREAT.

  While we are the "least" experienced in early childhood education in the crew, we knew exactly what we wanted and dreamed for in a center for our kids. That became the role we played in shaping Brookside. It has created wonderful conversations and attention to detail to ensure we are literally creating the center that both parents and their kids (as well as the staff making it happen) dream of! Not to mention, our entire opening staff at Brookside has either been with our babies for years or worked with us at Son Seekers, and all have degrees in early childhood education. We literally have an entire staff that we would hand-pick to be with our children!

  We were connected with Terre Harris early on, and she has been phenomenal! Using her expertise with the Reggio Emilia learning approach, she has helped us blend a great, established staff with room layouts, furniture, and more that give everything the kids do a purpose. The kids stay engaged, love what they do, how they do it, and who they do it with. We seriously couldn’t be more excited about the center we are creating for our children—and for so many other children to enjoy!

  We get asked a lot about where the name "Brookside" came from. We wanted a reminder, for years to come when our kids age out and complacency could set in, of what started all of this. So, we found a way to honor our son, Easton Brooks, by incorporating his name into the center’s name! (And it just felt right!) We get so excited about our own kids going here that sometimes we have to remind ourselves how many other families will be able to feel that same joy!

Shelbie and Matt Manor
Owners, Brookside Preschool