Daycare Future Looks Brighter in Roaring Spring
Stephanie Kensinger inside one of the preschool classrooms. Kensinger, who has been in the childcare industry for over 20 years, recently purchased the old Faith Assembly Church of God in Roaring Spring and opened the new location of Bright Beginnings Early Learning Center on Oct. 18.
It’s been said that “a child’s life is like a piece of paper on which every person leaves a mark,” and for many Cove-area children, Stephanie Kensinger has left quite a memorable mark.
For eight years, Kensinger rented the Masonic Lodge in Roaring Spring for the home of her dream, Bright Beginnings Early Learning Center.
“The Masons were so very good to us and I am so appreciative of them, but it was clear we were just outgrowing the space,” Kensinger said. At first, Kensinger bought a piece of land and planned to build a brand-new building and then, fate stepped in. Kensinger heard through a friend that the old Roaring Spring Faith Assembly of God Church had been put up for sale.
“When I toured it with my husband (Ryan), it just seemed right – it just needed a lot of work,” said Kensinger.
Enter Keystone Contracting, who, along with the help of Stephanie’s husband Ryan, and her stepfather Don Bookhammer, made Kensinger’s dreams a reality.
“I’ve always wanted to just have one center – and that was my dream, and ultimately, my main goal,” said Kensinger. “I wanted somewhere that was not only pleasing to the eyes but had a warmth about it and children and families knew was safe, and the children were not only going to learn but have so much fun.”
The new building, located at 731 East Main Street in Roaring Spring, almost doubled the amount of students she was licensed for. The building has an infant room, a Toddler-1 room, a Toddler-2 room, a Preschool-3 room, a Pre-K 4 room, and two school-age classrooms.
“It’s been a big adjustment for all of us, to go from three rooms, to all this space, and much larger rooms,” Kensinger said.
Kensinger said that the best business advice she ever received about the daycare business was “Put your heart and soul into one center.”
Kensinger credits her aunt, Sandra Norris as one of her biggest mentors in the child care industry. Norris, a retired Department of Human Services childcare inspector, said how proud of Kensinger she is.
“I am just immensely proud.” said Norris. “She has been so persistent in her dream of owning her own place, and I am just so proud of all that she has accomplished. It’s truly a wonderful place.”
Chelsea Stiffler, whose two children attend the before- and after-school program at the center, echoed that same sentiment,.
“I wouldn’t take my children anywhere else,” said Stiffler. “Stephanie and all the staff at Bright Beginnings treat our children like their own and treat us like part of their extended family. It’s great to see how far they’ve come from the lodge to now this beautiful facility.”
Breanna DeCriscio, another parent agreed, “Stephanie and the staff have went above and beyond for my children and it’s so nice to see that their love, support, and kindness has benefited everyone ten-fold. I couldn’t be more proud to take my children here every day and know they are not only safe, but extremely loved.”
Kensinger lives in Martinsburg with her husband Ryan and their three children Kaylee, Wyatt and Avery.
For more information on the center, call (814) 729-7002 or follow them on Facebook at Bright Beginnings ELC.