Beyond Our Dreams Home Daycare

Hi my Name is Shanara Bush & I’m the daycare provider for Beyond Our Dreams Home Daycare located in Romeoville,IL. On April 6th Beyond Our Dreams celebrated our 2nd year anniversary.

Since I've been about 14 years old, I've had a dream to open a day care. It's human nature to remain secure in your comfort zone, so I failed to pursue this dream due to fear. Here's a little back story.  At the age of 14, for 2 years in the summer I volunteered at Gottlieb Memorial Hospital's daycare.  I believe that's when my passion for working with young children all started.  In college, I completed my internship at SIU Rainbow End and was even offered a job opportunity as a Teacher's Assistant.  I received my Bachelors Degree in Early childhood in 2014.  I began working in the childcare industry as a teacher at Creme De La Creme for 4 years.  I even started to babysit for some of the families during the weekend! 

Over time, I realized I wanted to do more than just be a teacher, so I started to do my research on requirements to open a home daycare. I started the process to receive my license, but once again, fear got in the way and I started to apply for other jobs instead.  I applied for a lead teacher position at Joliet Catholic Charities in 2017. I knew nothing about Headstart, but took a chance.  I just knew I wasn't going to be offered the position due to lack of any knowledge about Headstart.  However....I was offered the position and have gained and learned so much valuable information from this experience.

My dream, did not  go away.  So once again, I started a new application to receive my license.  So many times I went back and forth in my head, thinking and wondering, what if I fail and what if it takes years to build my enrollment. In the beginning of 2021, I became so focused and decided this is MY year to finally go after my dreams!  Growth does not happen in your comfort zone.  I took a leap out on faith and I received my license for a home daycare.

I learned to never give up on your dreams & crush your fears! I started a daycare in the middle of pandemic & have been so blessed over these past 2 years!

I’m currently raising funds to purchase a van for the daycare. On last summer our field trips were very limited due to difficulties with transportation. However we were able to go on some field trips with additional assistance from parents. This summer I would love to take my children on more field trips to broaden their horizons & maybe even in the future offer transportation for school aged children before & after school.

I am asking anyone who has ever supported me for a small donation from loved ones, family, friends & for any of those that will like to contribute out the kindness of their heart. Any donation will make a difference! My babies and I will greatly appreciate it❤️. Thank you again.