West Akron woman offers free childcare for parents with job interviews

Since she was 6 years old, Candace Haynes has had a caring heart for children. Back then, she would pretend her stuffed animals were students and "teach" them in her room.

As she grew older, later becoming a single mom to two children, Haynes learned parents needed help — and her dream turned into running her own childcare center while offering free care for people going on job interviews.

With the help of her mother, family and friends, Haynes has now reached her goal, providing childcare in her home in Akron's Kenmore area with her business, The Flower Garden Early Child Education and Developmental Center LLC.

"I have a big heart — it's not just a business for me," Haynes said. "The children gravitate towards me. I love them, and they trust me. It's open communication. I do everything that I can to put the parents and the families at ease."

Haynes will provide three to four hours of free childcare for parents during the time of their job interview once proof of an interview is shown, along with the child's necessary medical information. She will feed their child, teach them, put them down for naps or whatever is on their schedule, which is also what she does during her full-time childcare service that accepts private pay.

Her in-home center with a Christian-based focus is open from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for children of all background and religions ages 6 months to 6 years old. Currently, she is the company's only staff member.

"Now that everything is up and running, hopefully more people will hear about me, they'll come to me," Haynes said. "We're starting small and hoping to grow."

Launching her own businesses

After leaving her job at another in-home childcare center in 2023, Haynes started her childcare business journey. She received "blessings after blessings" and was able to build up her home into a colorful daycare dream, complete with a white board for letter learning, toy bins, colorful educational and religious posters, flashcards, books and other resources and decorations.

She already had experience running her own business after starting Yvonne Rochelle Floristry in November 2023.

The floral business, which she runs out of her basement and garage, offers people do-it-yourself floral arrangements, providing the flowers and other essentials, as well as assistance.

The Flower Garden childcare officially opened June 23, though she had been helping mothers with emergency care prior to the grand opening.

The Kenmore home has spaces for sleeping infants, a changing table and cots for when the front room is to turned into nap-time area. She also added black-out curtains for movie watching.

Most of the children Haynes cares for are with her full-time.

"There was need for someone who was firm, fair and consistent," said the mom of two teens. "We're not using bad words. We're talking about manners. We're talking about our feelings. We're clean. We're having fun. We're exploring. There are rules and regulations."

Haynes said starting her business was nerve-wracking because it came with so much uncertainty. Turning to her religion brought her the courage to continue her passion, and now the mom said she strives to provide the best care she can.

"I've worked with children with autism, I've worked with children with development with developmental needs and I've worked with children who were born addicted to drugs," she said. "You have to approach this with a certain amount of compassion and grace. These are people's children."

The Flower Garden can hold six kids at a time, and all other Ohio rules are followed. Haynes said she hopes her business will become state licensed by September.

'Part of my family'

When deciding on childcare for her daughter McKinley, Lucy Blevins of Akron said she did not feel at peace with her options until she met Haynes, who showed compassion, patience and understanding when caring for her child, who has developmental delays.

Blevins and her daughter followed Haynes from her job at a different at-home childcare center to The Flower Garden, staying with her for nearly two years until McKinley reached kindergarten.

"Candace has not only provided childcare, but I consider Candace part of my family at this point," Blevins said. "She has loved my child, she has taught my child, she has provided safety for my child. Because of her, I really feel like my daughter has done a '180' with her speech and socially. It's just been amazing growth."

Blevins and her daughter still keep in contact with Haynes, who takes drop-ins from McKinley from time to time.

The Flower Garden is still accepting children, and if interested, call 330-310-8406, email theflowergardenllc@gmail.com or find the business on Facebook. To find other childcare options that fit a variety of needs, visit the database on the Early Childhood Resource Center's website .

"I'm proud of Candace, just stepping out and starting her own business," Blevins said. "I just hope that it grows and becomes something amazing because everybody needs a Candace for their kid's life like she is."

Reporter Isabella Schreck can be contacted at ischreck@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: West Akron woman offers free childcare for parents with job interviews