In honor of National Black Business Month and the return of school, we are featuring a profile of the Borough’s own Tonya Walls and Little Faces Childcare Center located at 426 W. Gay Street. Write up by Tonya Walls. Images by Randy GY Young.
“Parents entrust us with their children on average for 9-10 hours a day, child care teachers play an important role in children’s lives and I take that very seriously.”
-Tonya Wells, owner Little Faces Childcare Center
Tonya Walls, the owner of Little Faces Childcare Center (LFCC), was born and raised in the Borough of West Chester. She opened LFCC – a full service year-round childcare center serving children, infants through 12 years – 10 years ago when she noticed that the west end of the Borough was lacking in childcare services for families.
Tonya always loved working with children. In her early years she worked in childcare as a teacher and as a children’s residential counselor during her undergraduate years at West Chester University. After graduating, she worked in general protective services for Chester County Children, Youth and Families and also as a compliance manager for VisionQuest advocating for children’s rights.
“The best!!!! My daughter went from infant on. They treat all kids as their own!”
-Jen Poperchny, comment on Facebook
Forced to close during COVID-19, LFCC spent the summer making changes to its health and safety policies and procedures to make sure children, families and staff remain safe and healthy when the site reopens on August 31. In preparation for reopening, LFCC has implemented mandatory health screenings and temperature checks, stopped all non-essential visitors into the facility – one guardian only for drop off and pick-ups – and put in place social distancing and mask requirements among other measures.
In addition, during the 2020/2021 school year LFCC will be offering a full-time virtual learning program for children kindergarten through 12 years old. This program is designed to help parents who need a safe place for their children to go and still be able to log on and complete their school work.
“This staff is AMAZING!!! They have nurtured, loved and taught my kids with genuine care, providing a fun and safe environment and treating them (and me and my husband) like family. I would highly recommend this daycare located right in the borough!!!”
-Dana Boyes, comment on Facebook
Celebrating a decade in the Borough community, LFCC provides an enriched learning environment that believes in the healthy development of children and reflects the diverse backgrounds and cultures of the area. Please support your locally owned businesses, especially during these uniquely difficult times.
Thank you Tonya for helping make West Chester great and thank you Randy GY Young for bringing her story to light. If you would like more information about Little Faces Childcare Center, call 610-344-7785 or via email at littlefaceswc@gmail.com.
New to the blog? Follow along for the latest from West Chester. Plus, the secret to getting into the library’s popular storytime.