Johnnie Bridges
London Bridges Child Care Inc.
Owner/Executive Director

How many years have you worked with children?

I have been in my current position for 21 years.

What brought you to work with children?  Have you always wanted to or did it just happen?

Child care was a second career for me.  My husband who is retired military became interested when he noticed young mothers trying to get their children to child care and we did not have a location in our area.  He decided to build and open a small nonprofit center.  I explained I would assist him in getting staff in place and with the paperwork.  I had been working in the insurance/legal industry for many years and was not interested in leaving.  After about 3 months I resigned from my job and became involved in early education and child care.

What are some of your hobbies?

I love reading non-fiction books.

What is your most treasured accomplishment?  

My most treasured accomplishment is being a mother and grandmother.

What has been the most significant or memorable moment in your job/life?

The most significant moment in my job is that after opening London Bridges as a small center with a capacity of 42 within 3 years we have added to our building twice and now have a capacity of 130 children.  We have been blessed to serve families and many could not pay for care but we continued their enrollment.

Do you have any dreams or aspirations you want to share?

It is my dream that the staff that I have invested in will continue in early education (not necessarily at London Bridges) and make a difference in small people’s (children) lives.

March is National Nutrition Month. One thing many families manage is a hectic schedule and grab-and-go convenience food is readily available.  Research has shown that eating at home as a family is valuable in so many ways. Family meals are a comforting ritual for both parents and kids. Children like the predictability of family meals and parents get a chance to catch up with their kids.