Meet Lorèn Anthony | Director and Founder of The Kaizen School

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lorèn Anthony and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lorèn, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The concept of The Kaizen School came about during a tumultuous time. I gave birth to a brilliant boy in April of 2020 at the beginning of a nationwide shutdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic. I was hesitant to go back out into the public. I was also hesitant to put my baby boy into a crowded daycare fearing the worst due to the (then) unknown virus. Realizing there must be other parents that feel the same way, the idea of a childcare pod popped in my head. The Kaizen School was born. We know there are parents that take the new world that we are learning how to navigate seriously. They want to keep their children as safe as possible while still providing a nurturing and educational environment where they can interact with other children.

What should our readers know about your business?
The Kaizen School is a Montessori-inspired Family Childcare Learning Home in Southeast Atlanta.

Kaizen is a philosophy that means “continuous improvement” . Children are the masters of continuous improvement. We as educators have the pleasure of being their guides and motivators in this natural skill.

We focus on supporting kids during all transitions throughout childhood. All activities are designed to adequately nurture the emotional and intellectual growth of our kids. Through stimulating real-life situations and hands-on learning opportunities, young children are free to develop into bright young minds.

One of the reasons our program is unique is its size ! Our maximum capacity is 6 children.

This is a small tight knit group of children who will receive individualized care and attention in a home setting with a space designed especially for them!

Another unique value is the incorporation of Maria Montessori’s methods on such a young group. Our program is designed for 18-36 months old. However, we believe in the capabilities of the wondrous, independence craving toddler.

It took an entire year for our vision to come to fruition. The red tape and the exorbitant fees that came along with permitting and licensing was a major stressor for a small family. The belief that other families needed us was our motivation.

Though I have an extensive background in Early Childhood Education, nothing prepared me for running my own childcare program like YouTube. I know it sounds funny, but we have the power of the entire world in our hands. Being able to see what other providers have gone through allowed me to fine-tune the business aspect of my program and side-step pitfalls that swallowed up many other providers.

It’s amazing how the arrival of a little one can push you to be the very best version of yourself. I had given up on my dream of business ownership along time ago, but the birth of my son pushed me to see things with a different lens. I was able figure out how to use my natural skills of connecting with children and teaching them, and start a business from home.

The Kaizen School, like our name will be
a project of continuous improvement for me both personally and professionally and I’m excited to witness the growth of my students and my business!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As a first-time mom I have total mom- glasses on with this question! I hope this friend is a mother too because we’re going to all baby- friendly places! I would start with a breakfast at Sweet Melissa’s in downtown Decatur. Their breakfast is hearty and shareable and it’s very homey and laid-back. The plus is it’s right next door to Little Shop of Stories. The cutest local bookshop! Their main focus is children’s books but they also have books for the adults they become. Another place I’d recommend for children’s book is Brave and Kind bookstore they have a wonderful culturally diverse selection.
Treehouse Kid and Craft is nearby and great place to pick up a Montessori wooden toy made by small businesses if you’re into spoiling your kids! Then it’s on to some arts and culture exposure! Head to Ponce De Leon for the Fernbank Museum ofNaturalHistory! Fernbank has Dinosaur bones, a nature and music-based outdoor playground and NatureQuest An immersive experience that turns kids into explorers, scientists, and adventurers! Fernbank can keep you busy. Now it’s time for lunch at Bob and Harriet’s Home Bar in Kirkwood. Community oriented and kid-friendly they have a simple yet not too trashy kids’ menu. And don’t mind wiggly squirmy kiddos. They also have rotating beers and good food for us grownups. Another place I’d recommend is the Center for Puppetry Arts. I was a member here even before I was a parent! I love their skilled puppeteers, high quality shows and extensive collection in their museum! I’m all for some outdoor time and a good way to do that is a tiny tike hike. Not too far from The Kaizen School is the South River / Michelle ObamaTrail. There’s an entrenchment creek connected to the trail where you often spot local wildlife like turtles! A great place for nighttime non-kid eats would be OK Yaki which has really good Japanese fusion and Poor Hendrix which has an awesome rotating menu.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have such a wonderfully supportive small circle of friends and family that have been invaluable in helping me open The Kaizen School!

I’d like to specifically thank my son first and foremost. His birth was the catalyst for remembering my gifts. My mother, my life partner Ogaya, my brothers from other mothers Sylvester and Dan and my friend and fellow first-time mother Kat. They offered love , hands to saw, nail and paint with, time, opinions and constructive criticism!

Website: Www.kaizenschoolatl.com

Instagram: @kaizenschoolatl

Twitter: @kaizenschoolatl

Facebook: Facebook.com/Kaizenschoolatl

Image Credits
Ogaya Ngare