Early Childhood Leadership Fellow Spotlight: Brandy Scheetz

Q. Tell us about yourself and your current professional role. What kind of work do you do, and who do you serve?

A. My name is Brandy Scheetz, and I am currently the acting Executive Director of Foundations Community Childcare in Ashland, Ohio. I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve this community by providing full day child care and preschool instruction to an underserved community.

Our center was created through partnerships with the local business community, who have been forward thinking enough to understand that the strength of their own workforce depends on their employees having consistent access to high-quality and affordable child care. Our facility provides consistent care, nurturing and education to children ages 6 weeks through 12 years old.

Q. What made you want to apply for the Early Childhood Leadership Fellowship?

A. I am constantly searching for ways to make access to affordable care and early childhood education something that is within reach for all families at all income levels. I believe that bridging this gap in access to ECE is the keystone in changing the narrative for so many children.

Q. What are you most excited to learn, gain, or take away from the Fellowship experience?

A. I am excited to learn how to leverage my voice in a way that can bring positive change to the funding available for early childhood education.

Q. How did you first hear about or get involved with Groundwork Ohio?

A. I have been following Groundwork Ohio for many years and have had the chance to meet members of the Groundwork Ohio team as I have presented the model for my facility.

Q. What’s one issue or challenge in the early childhood system that you’re passionate about addressing? 

A. I am the most passionate about finding ways to assist families who do not qualify for public assistance but who are very taxed when it comes to affording child care and early childhood education services.

Q. How does your lived experience shape the way you lead or advocate for young children and families?

A. As an unexpected single mom of four children, I feel the daily pressure that comes with making ends meet for my family. I know the stress of working all day to barely make do, and my goal is to ease the stress for families!

Q. What do you think is important to help make Ohio the best place to be a young child?

A. We need to support children and their growth as a village that cares enough to invest in supporting the explosion of learning and development that takes place from birth to age five, without placing families in a situation where they have to make the decision between working outside of the home or giving up due to the cost of child care. Additionally, finding funding to adequately compensate our early childhood educators is a huge piece of this puzzle that I am very passionate about.

Q. How do you hope to use your voice as a leader in this space—now and in the future?

A. I am passionate about using my voice to inspire local business leaders to invest in their employees in a way that benefits children through forming partnerships with local care centers.