Today we’d like to introduce you to Megan Gardner.
Hi Megan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey in early childhood education began fifteen years ago with a simple passion for caring for and teaching children. What started as a role as an Assistant Teacher grew into something much deeper as I discovered not only my love for education, but also my desire to help children know they are loved, valued, and created with purpose.
Over the years, I have been blessed to serve in many different roles including Assistant Teacher, Lead Teacher, Program Director, Early Childhood Program Coordinator, and even owning and operating my own in-home childcare business. Each position helped shape me both personally and professionally.
As I begin my fifteenth year in the field, I serve as the Program Administrator for two small-capacity childcare centers. Looking back, I can clearly see how God has guided each step of my journey. My heart has always been to create safe, loving environments where children can learn, grow, and feel loved.
What continues to inspire me most is knowing that the work we do in early childhood matters deeply. The relationships, encouragement, and foundation we provide in these early years can impact a child for a lifetime, and I feel incredibly grateful to be part of that calling.
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?
It definitely has not always been a smooth road. Like many people in early childhood education, there have been seasons of long hours, burnout, staffing challenges, balancing work and family life, and carrying the emotional weight that comes with caring deeply for children and families. There were times when I questioned whether I was capable of taking on new leadership roles or managing the responsibilities that came with them.
Owning and operating an in-home childcare business also came with unique challenges — learning how to balance being an educator, caregiver, administrator, and business owner all at once. Transitioning into leadership positions such as Program Director, Early Childhood Program Coordinator, and now Program Administrator brought new pressures and responsibilities that stretched me both personally and professionally.
At the same time, those challenges have taught me resilience, patience, adaptability, and the importance of leaning on my faith through difficult seasons. One thing that has remained constant throughout my journey is my passion for children and my desire to create environments where they feel safe, loved, and valued.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
What I love most about this work is creating an environment where children feel safe, loved, valued, and excited to come each day. My focus has always been on the whole child — not just helping children learn letters and numbers, but supporting their social, emotional, and spiritual growth as well. I’m passionate about teaching children about the love of Jesus and helping create a faith-filled environment where they can grow with confidence and joy.
I’m also incredibly passionate about mentoring and supporting staff as they grow into confident, passionate educators themselves. I love helping teachers build their skills, discover their strengths, and feel encouraged in the important work they do each day. Creating a positive and uplifting culture for our team is just as important to me as creating one for the children in our care.
What I’m most proud of is the team and community we are building. I’m very intentional about who I hire because I believe the right team creates the foundation for everything else. It means so much to me that families trust us, feel supported, and truly feel like they are part of something special.
What sets me apart is the heart behind everything I do. I care deeply about creating a place that feels like home — where children are genuinely known and loved, families feel welcomed and supported, and every part of what we do is grounded in faith, consistency, compassion, and genuine care.
What’s next?
. Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue growing Little Roots into a top-rated Great Start to Quality childcare center that families trust and feel confident in. My goal is to provide a high-quality, faith-based environment where children feel safe, loved, and supported in their growth.
I’m looking forward to building a strong, passionate team of educators and continuing to invest in their growth and development. As our two small-capacity centers open and grow, I want to stay focused on supporting the whole child—academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.
More than anything, I hope to continue creating a place that feels like home for families, rooted in faith, consistency, and genuine care.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.littlerootspetoskey.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1B2uFB8sGR/?mibextid=wwXIfr
