I recently started a small business called
Play2learn Sensory Packs. I run a licensed group childcare business out of my home and wanted to incorporate more play based learning. I liked the idea of a large sensory bin so I purchased a large sand/water table for outdoors and converted it to be our indoor sensory bin. At first the kids loved it....but after having the bin a few days I quickly learned that a large sensory bin was not ideal for the ages in my childcare. Sure it was great for the 3-4 year olds at first but having a bin in our play area with hundreds if not thousands of beans turned out to be terrifying for myself. Anytime the kids would play with it I was constantly picking up beans and was scared the toddlers would find them and put them in their mouths. So I started to brainstorm...I wanted the play base learning but without a large sensory bin and I needed to keep it more confined and monitored. I also didn't like the standard idea of just a couple of items --it just wasn't enough to keep the kids interested for long....
I started out by finding things around my house, different kinds of blocks, some that were different shapes, some with different colors, patterns and textures and magnets etc--I put them on activity trays and watched the kids play. I encouraged at times to create patterns with the blocks, or asked them to pick out certain colors. It was fun to see their imaginations run wild and the idea of Play2learn Sensory Packs was born. What if I could capture this same type of play based learning in a easy to ship pack that could be used for other child cares, preschools and home based learning. I went to work and created my first pack in November 2013. I started with a few packs and they sold out in no time. I quickly learned there was a need for play based learning and much like myself most childcare providers and busy parents want to incorporate play based learning but don't know where to start. I love a challenge so I went with the idea and decided if I was going to do this I wanted to do it well and do it right. With some late nights and long hours I created a Sensory Facebook page, learned how to create a website, created a logo, developed labels, learned how to ship from home, opened an etsy site, paypal account and went to work.
Play2learn is now ready to ship out
February Packs and increasing quantities each month to grow and handle the demand while it's still a one man show run by me, myself, and I!
I love coming up with creative, fun new sensory ideas that are being enjoyed by child cares and families all over the country. I recently had my first order from Canada which was a whole other learning experience in itself but it didn't stop me. I feel like the sky is the limit and a new flame has been ignited within me.
I recently applied for a
FedEx Small Business Grant and was accepted to participate. The first phase is a voting process. Next 100 small businesses from the contest will be selected to move to phase 2 and will have 4 essay questions to answer. The grand prize is a $25,000 grant. They also have 4-$5000 grants and also 1-$1000 grant.
The FedEx Small Business Grant would allow me to develop marketing tools to reach teachers and parents of special needs children. It would give me the ability to purchase new products in larger quantities to keep costs down and continue to make my packs affordable to all. The grant would allow me the ability to travel to childcare and special needs conferences to share my packs with others. With the FedEx Small Business Grant I will be able to continue to offer fun safe ways of playing2learn!
You can vote HERE to help increase my chances of making it to the next phase of the contest. Voting can be done 1X per day till February 23rd, 2014. I am currently at 226 Votes.
Below is my website for fast, safe and secure ordering. (I use Paypal for payment).
I also take special orders and offer other fun
sensory accessories on the website as well to enhance the sensory experience.
If you have any questions feel free to email me:
www.play2learnsensorypacks@outlook.com
"Thank you sooooo much! The kids absolutely LOVED the November Sensory pack! You could here a pin drop for the 1st 10 minutes of playing! They were all so proud to show each other different ideas of what they came up with! They were all so creative! Thank you so much! This will now be part of our everyday routine!"
Childcare Provider
-Gretchen, MN
"Thank you, for starting this business and affording me this new fun sensory pack to share with my 4 year olds! I heard LOTS of smiles and many words to each other like "how about we do this with the noodles" or "Look! I made a flower out of my gems!" They look forward to playing with it again!"
Childcare Provider
-Jean, ND
"Play2learn Sensory packs let my children explore and find wonder in new items every month. I love that Play2learn goes way beyond the blah of the same old rice/beans/corn sensory that I was using. My children are exploring, creating and experimenting with the well planned packs. We cannot wait for the next one to arrive! Love, love, love!"
-Marcia, MN
