About Cleveland Child Care

Since 1973, Cleveland Child Care has had the honor of serving children and families in Northeast Ohio. Our mission has always been the same: help children be all they were created to be.

Serving children from six weeks to 12 years old, Cleveland Child Care helps develop children socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually so that they are better-equipped for future education and life adjustments.

Bringing Hope To The Community

Get to know Cleveland Child Care

At Cleveland Child Care, we are committed to nurturing the whole child—socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually—ensuring a strong foundation for future learning and life’s many adventures. We provide a safe, welcoming, and collaborative environment where children thrive, and families feel confident knowing their little ones receive the highest quality early education.

Our team of dedicated, professional caregivers fosters an enriching atmosphere in every classroom. We offer nutritious, high-quality meals and create meaningful opportunities for families, staff, and the community to engage and grow together.

A Personalized Approach to Learning

Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to meet the unique needs of each child, sparking curiosity, encouraging growth, and igniting a lifelong love for learning. Our educators focus on understanding individual learning styles, ensuring personalized care that supports every child’s success.

Through interactive experiences, children develop essential motor skills, emotional intelligence, and cognitive abilities. Our well-rounded approach includes science, reading, language, music, and art—equipping children with the tools they need for a bright future.

Collaboration for Success

From the moment a child joins our program, we foster a strong partnership between parents and teachers. Through developmental screenings, individualized learning plans, and biannual parent-teacher conferences, we work together to set goals, track progress, and celebrate milestones.

At Cleveland Child Care, we are more than a child care center—we are a supportive community and a family.

Our History

Our Journey and Future

Cleveland Child Care began in 1973 in a small church on Pearl Road in Cleveland, Ohio. Over the years, we expanded to 10 locations, with the Gilbert Building becoming a central hub when we opened our doors there in 1993. Today, the Gilbert Building remains the heart of our organization—standing as our last remaining site, yet carrying the hope and ambition to grow once more, bringing our trusted care and educational programs to even more families in the future.

About Cleveland Child Care

For over 50 years, Cleveland Child Care has proudly served children and families across Northeast Ohio. Since our founding in 1973, our mission has been to nurture and empower children to reach their full potential. We are deeply committed to providing high-quality care and early learning opportunities—whether for working parents seeking reliable child care, families looking to engage their children with peers, or those in search of an enriching preschool experience.

Our Home: The Gilbert Building

Cleveland Child Care operates from the historic Gilbert Building, a landmark in the Stockyards neighborhood. Originally built in the mid-1890s as an elementary school, the building served generations of students before closing in 1979. In the mid-1980s, a private partnership acquired the property with a vision to transform it into a vibrant community center. Extensive renovations modernized the facility, ensuring it met EPA standards, including the removal of lead and asbestos before occupancy in 1991.

Our Leadership Team

We continue to be committed to putting the needs of the children and families we serve first by making sure our team members are caring, compassionate and experienced professionals. We want the families we serve to know that we treat their children like they were our own. Here is a little more information on our leadership team.

Ragelle Gigante

Executive Director
Since 2011, Ragelle has been Cleveland Child Care's Executive Director and handles the day to day operations of our center. Ragelle believes that Cleveland Child Care and Early Learning Center truly provides HOPE for children and their families.

Chelsea Santiago

Director
Since 2015, Chelsea has put her passion for early childhood development to help Cleveland Child Care grow. Now the Director, her story is a testament to the power of dedication, hard work, and a genuine love for what she does.

He’Quia Naylor

Supervisor
He'Quia is a passionate educator from Canton, Ohio. Her love for working with children started when she was just a child herself. A graduate of Hiram College's Early Childhood Education program, He'Quia has been with Cleveland Child Care since 2021.

Ivana Gremi

Supervisor
Ivana is a dedicated early learning educator with a Master's degree in Social Sciences, specializing in Civic and Democratic Education, from Albania. She joined Cleveland Child Care in 2020, helping develop and implement the center's curriculum before advancing to the role of supervisor in 2023.

Our Board of Directors

A well-structured child care center benefits greatly from a dedicated Board of Directors responsible for strategic guidance and oversight. A diverse board—comprising individuals with varied backgrounds, skills, and interests—enhances the program by fostering fresh perspectives, innovative solutions, and thoughtful decision-making, ultimately strengthening the center’s impact and sustainability.

Rhonda Sharpley

Board Member
Rhonda, a Certified Health Coach and Nutritional Consultant, brings a holistic approach to her work. Joining CCC in early 2012 as the cook and kitchen manager, she aimed to elevate the quality and nutritional value of the meals and beverages provided to children, exceeding required standards.

Sheryl Townsel

Board Member
Sheryl has been deeply involved with Cleveland Child Care and its home facility since the early 2000s, dedicating her time and expertise to ensuring its growth and success. Her commitment to the center became official in 2013 when she joined the Board of Directors, where she now serves as a Committee Member.

Step Up To Quality

At Cleveland Child Care, we believe in providing exceptional early learning experiences that go beyond the basics. That’s why we proudly participate in Step Up to Quality (SUTQ)—Ohio’s three-tier quality rating and improvement system for early learning programs.

SUTQ goes beyond the minimum licensing requirements to assess and enhance key areas of early education, including:

  • Learning & Development: High-quality curriculum, assessments, and child screenings;
  • Administration & Leadership: Supportive staff-child interactions, continuous program improvement;
  • Staff Quality & Professional Development: Ongoing education and training for childcare professionals;
  • Family & Community Partnerships: Strong family engagement and access to community resources.

Parent Testimonials

"Amazing staff. They’re always so supportive and attentive to my son and always provide me with lots of pictures throughout his day while I’m at work!

Caleb D

"My son has loved it from day one ❤️ which is most important to me. The teachers obviously love him and I can tell he loves them all back very much. Happy mama & baby here.

Shardell Y

"Cleveland Child Care is a great child care center, my niece has been going there for 3 years and she’s loves it. The teachers are amazing and they follow a meaningful curriculum.

Nicole P