My Visit to Crayons2Pencils: Where Learning Meets Play
Introduction
Girl, you won’t BELIEVE the place I just visited! Picture this: I’m walking into what I thought was “just another daycare center,” but oh my goodness, was I wrong! Crayons2Pencils is like that hidden gem you stumble upon and then can’t stop telling everyone about. It’s that magical mix of education, fun, and community that makes you wish you could go back to being a kid again!
The Welcoming Atmosphere
The moment I walked in, it felt like I’d entered some kind of perfectly organized kid paradise.
The place was buzzing with little voices, but not in that chaotic way that makes you want to
reach for earplugs. The kiddos were all enjoying pizza bagels (which looked delicious, by the
way), and I was greeted by this super friendly staff member who waved me in with the warmest smile.
After lunch, I was BLOWN AWAY by how these little ones just automatically knew what to do.
They lined up to clear their plates, took them to the kitchen, and – get this – were washing their hands WITHOUT being told! I’m serious! It’s like they’ve created this mini-society where the kids actually take pride in keeping their space clean. Not a single argument or tantrum in sight – just giggles and excitement about whatever activity was coming next.
More Than Just A Daycare
I asked Jill (one of the owners) what she thought the biggest misconception people have about this place Jill states “just a daycare.” During my tour, Jill (more about her amazing story in a bit!) made it very clear that Crayons2Pencils offers SO much more.
They have a full curriculum including Spanish lessons, literacy classes, social-emotional
development programs, and even parenting classes! Plus, they’re open year-round, which is a lifesaver for working parents.
I think what would surprise most people is just how MASSIVE their facility is. The space they have for both the kids and community events is incredible. It truly functions as a second home for these children.
Volunteer Opportunities Galore
If you’re looking for ways to give back to the community, this place has options coming out of their ears! They host this super cute Santa workshop event every year, plus tons of park events throughout the seasons. This April 17th, they’re even organizing an Easter egg hunt that sounds like so much fun!
They welcome college students who need observation credit hours, volunteers to help build
playground equipment (remember when we built that treehouse for your kids? Same energy!), and even have the sweetest group of grandmothers who come in to read stories to the children.
Oh, and the kids get special visits from the zoo, local dentists, Music for Tots, Apex Jr Soccer, and the fire department! Talk about making learning exciting!
A Community Center For Everyone
Here’s something I didn’t expect – Crayons2Pencils doubles as a community center that you can rent online for private events! You get a private access code to the building and can reserve it for literally ANY occasion.
Some ideas they shared for renting the space:
● Birthday parties (imagine having that whole gym to yourself!)
● Wedding rehearsals (unique, right?)
● Military events
● Holiday parties
● Graduations
● Yoga classes
● Team bonding activities
● Sports events (gym only)
● Cooking classes
The best part? You can book evenings and weekends, which is perfect for those of us with weird schedules!
Award-Winning Excellence
These ladies aren’t just playing around – they’re seriously award-winning! If you check out their About section, you’ll see they’ve received Congressional honors and have been voted a community favorite multiple times. Their dedication to excellence really shows in everything they do.
The Dynamic Duo: Jill and Cindy
I didn’t get to meet Cindy during my visit, but Jill took me on the tour, and OMG, trying to keep up with her energy like she may have been on her third cup of coffee! 😂
She was practically glowing when she showed me a desktop photo of her six children. Apparently, they all have this competitive streak – and after meeting Jill, I can totally see where they get it from!
The story of how Jill & Cindy met is straight out of a movie. So picture this: Jill was working at Principal Financial but dreaming of opening an in-home daycare.
In 2008, Jill quit her corporate job and started a preschool in her basement. In 2010 she transitioned to Crayons2Pecils Preschool where they offered preschool sessions and after 1 year of preschool sessions they realized their house was too small and ended up building a house with a preschool classroom attached to their house with a separate entrance.
Oh, and did I mention that Jill was also killing it with Mary Kay on the side? She actually won the Mary Kay car! Who does that?! Clearly someone with serious hustle!
Now here’s where it gets crazy – when Jill needed to sell her house and started to build her new house, guess who bought it? CINDY! Cindy ended up running her own daycare in Jill’s old house and taking all of Jill’s overflow kids.
For over a year, they were referring clients back and forth until they finally had the brilliant idea to join forces. In 2016, they opened their first official Crayons2Pencils location with 6 classrooms and 28 teachers. Talk about a match made in daycare heaven!
Teaching Soulmates: The Perfect Professional Match
Like I mentioned earlier, I didn’t get to meet Cindy during my visit, but girl, I heard ALL about her! She’s ultimately been described as Jill’s business soulmate. Cindy has her freaking MASTERS in teaching (hello, qualifications!) and when Jill was launching this whole Crayons2Pencils adventure, she knew exactly who to call. These two are basically the dynamic duo of childcare—where Jill falls short, Cindy swoops in with superpowers, and vice versa. It’s like watching a perfectly choreographed dance where neither of them misses a beat. You know those work relationships you dream about? The ones where you actually ENJOY showing up every day? That’s what these two have created. #WorkRelationshipGoals, And honestly, watching Jill’s energy bouncing off the walls as she showed me around, I can only imagine the magic that happens when these two powerhouses put their heads together!
The Man Behind The Wheel: Matt Crayons2Pencils’ Secret Weapon
Oh my gosh, I have to tell you about Matt, Jill’s husband and the co-owner of Crayons2Pencils! Watching this man’s journey from corporate suit to childcare champion has been SUCH a transformation story. When Jill talks about him, her eyes literally sparkle—the pride is unmistakable!
Matt doesn’t just handle all the construction projects, repairs, and expansions for their growing empire (which, let’s be honest, is a full-time job itself). The highlight of his day is actually driving the school bus! And this isn’t your average school bus experience—Matt makes it an absolute event that the kids live for.
“Matt knows every single child by name,” one staff member told me with a grin. “He’s got this special connection with them that’s just magical to watch.”
Each ride has become a mini-tradition for these lucky kiddos. He’s got his “Joke of the Day” that has them giggling all the way from school, and a rotating playlist that the children help curate. Apparently, “Chicken Wing Chicken Wing” is a massive hit (I need to look this up!), and God forbid he forgets to play the “It’s Friday” song on Fridays—there would be a revolt! This year’s newest obsession? “Beautiful Things” by Benson Boone, which has become their unofficial anthem.
As Jill described their bus rides—filled with singing, laughter, and the kind of joy that only comes when kids feel truly seen—I couldn’t help thinking how different this is from the silent, sometimes scary bus rides I remember from childhood. One staff member summed it up perfectly: “Matt doesn’t just drive the bus; he creates the first moment of happiness these kids experience when they leave school. The energy he brings follows them right through our doors.”
Who knew a bus ride could be such a core memory in the making? That’s the Crayons2Pencils difference, right down to the transportation!
A Journey of Growth
The growth timeline of this place is honestly impressive!
And they even have their own bus driven by none other than Jill’s husband! I guess he’s fully on board with her vision now!
Speaking of the arcade – OH. MY. GOD. It transported me straight back to our 80s childhood! They have Frogger, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong – all those classics we used to play! The room glows in the dark with disco lights, and I was seriously tempted to ask if I could play. I can just imagine Gen X parents getting lost in there, reliving their big-hair days while Bon Jovi plays in the background! And get this – they even have their own bus, driven by none other than Jill’s husband! I guess he’s fully on board with her vision now!
Building Up Their Team
What really touched me about Crayons2Pencils is their company culture. Their mission statement is “Build the teacher up so they can build the kids up,” and they truly live by it.
The center has 75 employees, and the average staff member stays for about 3 years, which is impressive in childcare. Most of their staff didn’t have the opportunity to go to college, so Jill and Cindy offer each associate, after working their for 3 months and demonstrating a true passion for working with young children, the opportunity to enroll in TEACH Iowa program (to earn their college degree). They pay for 90% of their tuition & even give staff 48 hours of paid time off to study. In addition, they get extra raises on top of their regular raises for so many credits completed. This is optional to the teachers if they want to do this.
As Jill put it, “We believe in building a person to grow even if we are the steppingstone.” Some of their staff have gone on to become Directors of Child Care Centers themselves or are now enrolled in college, which makes Jill and Cindy incredibly proud.
Jill summed it up perfectly: “We invest in our associates, and the reality is we all must work.
Sure, there will be diapers & meltdowns and kids getting sick, but we keep coming back because we care and love what we do!”
With 150 students and a staff that feels like family (Joslyn told me, “It is like a family reunion every time I come to work. I get to see all my family”), it’s no wonder this place has such a
magical atmosphere.
Future Horizons
These ladies aren’t slowing down anytime soon! Jill is a Licensed Trainer with Elite Connected and is has created a Lesson Plan Books for Directors of Child Care Centers.
Jill has mentored other directors her workshops are still in production and has not launched them just yet. This is a new venture and coming in the future!
Bottom line we could not do what we do with out everyone. I am just one person but the team that we work with truly make the company what it is today. From our Nutritional Director Brenda who goes above and beyond for our teachers, children and families by hosting grill outs to our social committee that plans events and activities each year it is really because of everyone we work with that we are what we are today. The ideas come as much for me as they do from our team. My team deserves all the credit. ~Jill
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has Crayons2Pencils been open? They’ve been operating for a total of 8 years,
starting from Jill’s basement in 2008 and officially becoming Crayons2Pencils in 2016.
How many students attend Crayons2Pencils? They actually have 2 locations in Norwalk. Crayons 2 Pencils Early Learning Center – Children 6 weeks to 5 years old with 11 classrooms at this location. Crayons 2 Pencils recreation Center – Pre-k through school age kids. Between the two buildings they have over 300 students enrolled. – Many families have children at both buildings as they function as one unit just separate locations.
Can I rent their facility for private events? Absolutely! You can reserve it online for various
events, including parties, classes, and community gatherings. What ages do they accept? Contact them directly for specific age ranges and availability!
I seriously can’t wait to see what else these incredible women do next! If you have kids or know anyone looking for childcare that goes above and beyond, you HAVE to tell them about this place.
Copyright:
2025 Vonnie Potter JaaiBirch, LLC All Right Reserved.
Video by Crayons2Pencils.com You Tube Video used with Permission/Photos by Vonnie Potter taken with Permission and Feature Photo found in Internet.
Please tour this place. You will be amazed!