Brandon Twp.-Jackie Harvey started her business, The Gift of Time, to help clients with errands and other tasks they have difficulty finding time for.
Three years later, she has found her own way to have more family time while adding to her business.
Harvey recently began offering infant daycare as another service of The Gift of Time. She is joined in the new venture by her daughter, Michelle Harvey McLeod. Harvey and McLeod are both licensed by the state of Michigan to care for babies from newborn to 18-months-old.
‘We feel there’s a need for daycare for this age group, because preschools only take two and above and some places only want potty-trained children,? said Harvey.
To become licensed, Harvey and McLeod took classes in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, life-saving first aid and child development. They learned about age-appropriate activities, games and safety.
Harvey’s home at 2020 Sherwood Court, where the infants will be cared for, is warm and inviting and equipped with fully furnished cribs, toys, tapes, books, strollers, swings and play pads, in preparation for babies. Harvey and McLeod can care for four infants, but one is already here? Cody. He is Harvey’s grandson and McLeod’s 8-month-old son. He is also one of the reasons the mother-daughter team began the childcare service.
McLeod quit a full-time job after her son was born because she was unable to spend much time with him, but she still wanted to work. Harvey was putting in as many as 12 hours a day with The Gift of Time? pet sitting, house sitting, people sitting, transporting people to doctor appointments, school enrichment classes, and doing their grocery shopping, amongst other tasks in the personal assistance business. Harvey intends to continue these services, but has scaled back on the hours so she can give the gift of time to her grandson and daughter and the new childcare service.
Harvey and McLeod say The Gift of Time infant daycare will be unique from other daycares.
‘We’re going to cater to parents,? said McLeod. ‘We will bring them their child for a lunch visit and pick them up in the morning or drop them off in the evening.?
‘Who wouldn’t love to be able to get ready without worrying about getting the baby to daycare?? asked Harvey, who adds that they already have the car seats needed for this personalized service.
Harvey and McLeod note that an additional benefit is the relationship they share as mother and daughter.
‘We’re used to working together,? Harvey says. ‘We’re a team. It’s not the usual employer-employee relationship. That we work so well together can only give more time for the kids. It’s a very homey setting.?
McLeod agrees. ‘They won’t have to go through different people. It will always be my Mom and me. It will be a very stable environment.?
The Gift of Time has infant daycare available from 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and will work with parents who need leeway on time. Cost is $50 per day for full-time childcare. Less than full-time is an hourly rate to be determined. The Gift of Time is located at 2020 Sherwood Court, near Sashabaw and Seymour Lake roads. For more information, call (248) 627-1228.