Jessica Stannard
26 | Owner/ Director, The Places You'll Grow Childcare and Preschool
Residence: Fair Haven
Career highlight(s) you are most proud of:
Achieving the dream that I was chasing for so long: to open and own a licensed child care center. I’m also very proud that I was able to 
successfully receive my college degree within the same year that I was able to expand my business.
Inspiration for living and working in Vermont:
The roots that I have here. I spent the beginning part of my college career outside of Vermont. I quickly realized that Vermont is my home and where I want to live and work for the rest of my life.
Favorite part of your job:
The moment a child really grasps a concept we have been working on.
Most inspiring mentor:
My mom has been a guiding light through all of my endeavors in my career. She inspires me because she is always up for a challenge and always willing to support anyone who needs her help.
Best career advice you have received:
Roll with the punches. Even when the path you are on is rocky, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel — and that light is worth the bumpy ride.
Something fun about yourself that few people know:
I learned to play the piano when I was 5 years old.
Three words that best describe you:
Passionate, caring and confident.
Favorite Vermont escape:
Sunset Lake. My family has a camp there. There is no place more peaceful in the world. It helps that I’m usually surrounded there by family that I love.
Favorite Vermont season:
Fall.
Favorite downtime activity:
Snuggling with my two labs, Talli and Hank.
Favorite social media:
TikTok. It is a guilty pleasure.
Person you would most like to share a Vermont beverage with:
My boyfriend, Justin Hilder.
Cause(s) you would support if you had unlimited funds:
Prevent Child Abuse America, a nonprofit that actively prevents child abuse and neglect before it occurs.
A song on your playlist you are embarrassed to admit to your best friend:
“Baby Shark.” I’ve gotta keep the kiddos happy!
Where you see yourself professionally in the next five to 10 years:
I’d like to become a universal pre-K and achieve as many accreditations for my center as I can.
Goal(s) you’d like to accomplish in the next five to 10 years:
Opening a special education sector of my child care center.
How your job has changed since the pandemic:
At the time the pandemic hit, I was running an in-home day care. Wearing a mask in my own home was quite strange and expecting young children to wear masks all day was challenging.