Claudette White - October 2022 Shero

Congratulations Claudette White, Dorchester, MA 

How long have you been in the early childhood field?  16 years  

What inspired you to become a Family Childcare Educator/Entrepreneur? “I really can't say that someone or something inspired me to become an FCC. It was a nature gravitation. I love kids and they love me, it just seems to be where I belong, in Early Education and Care.”

What are you most passionate about in your work? “I'm passionate about helping the children learn early skills and love the way they light up with they accomplish / learn a new skill.”

How did the Shared Services Business Workshops help you with your business? “The business workshops with Shared Services have helped me to be more aware of my Finances. Although, I have to admit I'm still struggling with this part of the business.”

Tell us your story: On March 28th, 1965, I was born on Montserrat's small volcanic Eastern Caribbean Island, the second of eight children. My name is Claudette Emelda White; my maternal grandmother raised me until 12, when I migrated to Fajardo, Puerto Rico, to live with my mother and other siblings. Learning Spanish was one of the hardest things I have ever done. After graduating high school and working for three years as a nanny, I decided to move to Boston since my mother and younger siblings had moved here two years prior. One month after arriving in Boston, I got employment as a houseman setting up conference rooms at John Hancock Conference Center. I worked my way up from being a Front Desk Clerk, then Front Desk Supervisor, and finally, Front Office Manager. While working at John Hancock, I attended Katherine Gibbs to earn a two-year degree as an Administration Assistant. However, I was never as happy in any of these jobs as I was working with kids. Being the second of eight children, there was always someone younger in the household for me to take care of. I believe this is where my love for kids came from and why I decided to leave my nine-to-five in the cooperate world and start my own family daycare business. I attended Early care courses at Project Hope and graduated. With the help of Project Hope, I started my FCC business in 2006 and have been in business since then.