Growing and Learning Together, Since 1972
About Us
Growing and Learning through the Joy of Play
The essence of our organization is the dedication and enthusiasm of our caregivers who spend their days serving our community. We value the opportunity to meet you and your family. You are welcome visit us at the center any time.
Mission
We are committed to providing an environment for children where they can feel loved and secure, with care and understanding, to help them learn and grow.
Lifelong Learning
Our goal is to nurture a love for learning through play and believe that everyone benefits when they are able to grow cognitively, emotionally, and physically. The essence of our organization is the dedication and enthusiasm of our caregivers who spend their days serving our community.
We value the opportunity to meet you and your family. You are welcome visit us at the center any time.
Community & Diversity
We empower each other through a strong commitment to community, recognizing our responsibility to one another. We celebrate the enrichment of community with a diversity in ethnicity, culture, age, and gender.
Respect
We appreciate that each person is unique, valuable, and worthy of respect. During a child's enrollment, parents are encouraged to work with caregivers to meet individual needs. With healthy relationships with other children and staff, children have a strong basis for future success.
School Readiness
Our emphasis on social and emotional development helps both parent and child feel more confident in beginning school, including future participation in the classroom and at conferences with teachers. With the enrichment of community at our child care centers, families have the opportunities for a support network of other families, knowledge about ways in which children learn, what can be expected at various developmental stages of growth, and how to participate in public schools with success.
Our Story
Our child care organization was founded in 1972 by owners Tom and Berta Case in their church in Flint, Michigan. We were given our name by Tom’s mother Marian, who suggested “Happy Elephant,” which symbolizes the value of Growing and Learning through the Joy of Play.
We consider it a privilege to provide care for two generations of people in our community, including former students who are now caregivers in our centers across the state of Michigan.
Staff
Our Manager and Program Directors have college level training with emphasis in Early Childhood Development, meet state requirements for training in child care and participate in ongoing training in the field.
Lora LaBean
ManagerEarly Childhood Associate, CMU and U of M, Flint
Joined Happy Elephant in 1980
Lora has provided care and leadership for our organization with two generations of children at Happy Elephant. Lora started as a director at one of our first centers and became company Manager in 1990.
ManagerEarly Childhood Associate, CMU and U of M, Flint
Joined Happy Elephant in 1980
Lora has provided care and leadership for our organization with two generations of children at Happy Elephant. Lora started as a director at one of our first centers and became company Manager in 1990.
- Aimee Ferris
Program Director
Linden Road, FlintBachelor of Science with Early Childhood Endorsement, EMU
Joined Happy Elephant in 2015 - Krista Goodman
Program Director
Beecher Road, FlintEarly Childhood Associate, Baker College
Joined Happy Elephant in 2008 - Becky Kenney
Program Director
W. Michigan Ave, Lansing
Early Childhood Associate, LCC and Cornerstone University
Joined Happy Elephant in 1989 - Tanea Smith
Program Director
36th Street, Grand Rapids
Childhood Development Associate, CDA National Credentialing Program
Joined Happy Elephant in 1990 - Kelly Maldonado
Program Director
36th Street, Grand Rapids
Child Development Associate, CDA National Credentialing Program
Joined Happy Elephant in 2012