Michele Baker- McElroy, Executive Director & Owner

 

Michele Baker-McElroy has an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Kishwaukee College and Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education with a Concentration in Special Education from Kendall College, and has over 30 years of experience.

 

She has earned her Infant & Toddler Level 5 Credential, Early Childhood Education Level 5 Credential, and Illinois Director Level II Credential.

 

 She's a member of  4-C (Community Coordinated Resource & Referral)

 

She’s a member of the 4-C Advisory Council. The Advisory Council provides input about programs and services, and the needs of families, providers, employers and the community in the 4-C (Community Coordinated Resource & Referral) Service Delivery Area (SDA).

 

She's a member of Kishwaukee College ECE Advisory Committee 

 

Adult/Child and Infant CPR/AED/First Aid Instructor with American Red Cross

 

She’s currently the Finance Committee Chair at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.

 

 

Anthony McElroy, Owner & Certified Cook

Anthony is part owner of the center. He assists with recruitment, staff evaluations, managing finances, operational budgets. He ensures the center is in compliance with Department of Children and Family Services policies, DeKalb County Health Department, and other State codes. 

 

Anthony plan and implement nutritious meals that meet regulatory compliance through the Adult and Child Nutrition Program, maintain food inventories, monitor safe food storage temperatures for the refrigerator and freezer, maintain all documentation associated with food service, and implement health, safety and sanitation procedures throughout the day.

 

Anthony has been with Dist. 428 since 2014, and is currently coaching boys basketball at DeKalb High School.

Mary Baker, Director & Owner

Mary, Director and Infant teacher joined Once Upon A Time in 2006. She has a Child Development Associate, Bachelor of Arts Degree from Northeastern Illinois, and Master’s Degree in Education from Northeastern Illinois. She has been in childcare since 1994.