Delmarva Community Services, Inc. (DCS) has recently appointed Petrae Simpson as its new Director of Childcare for Sprouts Early Childhood Learning Center @ Chesapeake Grove in Cambridge.  Simpson previously worked as director of Bright Beginnings Child Care Center in Stevensville, Maryland.

“Petrae is a passionate and experienced childcare professional with a strong early childhood education and daycare management background who came to us highly recommended. We are thrilled she is joining our team as she is dedicated to creating a nurturing and engaging environment where children can develop in their early years,” states Andy Hollis, President/CEO of DCS.

With extensive experience in licensing regulations, staff development, and curriculum implementation, Simpson understands the importance of research-based teaching strategies.  She is a proponent of incorporating the Frog Street Curriculum into the Center’s program. This comprehensive curriculum is designed to support children from infancy through pre-kindergarten, focusing on intentional, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that foster critical thinking, creativity, and school readiness.

According to Simpson, Frog Street’s emphasis on social-emotional development, language acquisition, and STEAM-based activities aligns with her own philosophy of holistic learning. By implementing engaging, hands-on experiences, she believes that every child can receive the foundational skills needed for lifelong success.

“I am committed to maintaining high-quality standards – including building strong relationships with families, creating an inclusive and welcoming environment, and mentoring educators to continuously grow in their roles. I am driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of quality care and education that ensures that every child has the opportunity to thrive,” Simpson states.

She shares that she got into childcare because she struggled to maintain employment with childcare schedules as a single mother of three children. After getting a job at her children’s childcare center she realized it was a career she wanted to pursue. She started as a teacher’s assistant and then with the encouragement of her director, focused on her own professional development. Simpson became director-qualified within four years. 

“There are different aspects of operating a childcare center that I love and enjoy. When I first got into childcare, I became very passionate about the children. When I became a director in my first position, I worked closely with licensing and became a stickler for policies and procedures. I then became even more passionate about teaching the teachers. These are all the things that tie into having a successful center,” she adds.

“We have great people working at our Center and the potential to offer some amazing things through this new curriculum. I am very excited about that,” Simpson shares. 

“I want the public to know that we love the children in our program. I think loving the children is the most important element of engaging and caring for children. We are so excited when children come into our doors and sad when they age out of the program and go to kindergarten.”

Currently, Sprouts Early Childhood Learning Center has 10 staff and is in the process of hiring additional qualified staff. There are 26 children in the program and the Center has the capacity for 46 children between the ages of six weeks and five years of age. The Center is particularly excited to be opening a new infant room – one of the few centers in Cambridge to have openings for infants.

The Center’s physical space is new – part of DCS’s new state-of-the-art building at 108 Chesapeake Street in Cambridge which opened in April 2022 and includes a large modern playground.

“I cannot wait for the weather to get nice so that we can consistently go outside with the children,” Simpson adds. 

Another special aspect of the Center is the involvement of DCS’s Senior Center with the children. Seniors do monthly intergenerational crafts and games and read with the children, as well as rock the babies. In addition, seniors host the Center’s annual preschool graduation and provide “Bubble Day” once a month where they interact by blowing bubbles for the children in the daycare. In February, the Senior Center invited the children to participate in their fashion show.  

For further information or to arrange a tour of Sprouts Early Childhood Learning Center @ Chesapeake Grove in Cambridge, contact Petrae Simpson at 410-221-1900 ext. 401. 

Delmarva Community Services Inc. (DCS) is a multi-service organization founded in 1974 that serves individuals with developmental disabilities, seniors, and individuals living in poverty, as well as provides childcare and transportation services. Donations can be made at www.dcs.org by clicking the Give to DCS link. For services, please call 410-221-1900.