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Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer, right, presents a plaque to Jean and Mac McGuire recognizing Ready, Set, Grow during its 20th anniversary celebration. (PHOTOS FOR THE REPORTER/DAWN HARRISON)

CHELSEA – A Chelsea childcare business celebrated its 20th anniversary on Friday, April 12, with a reunion, recognition from the city’s mayor and more.

Chelsea Mayor Tony Picklesimer presented a plaque to owners Jean and Mac McGuire at the culmination of the event.

“You are a wonderful example that determination and hard work can bring positive outcomes,” the plaque reads along with recognizing Ready, Set, Grow as providing “outstanding preschool foundations for children preparing for ‘big school.’”

Jean McGuire estimated that 300-400 people—from current staff members to parents whose children attended when the business first opened—participated in the celebration.

“It was amazing,” McGuire said. “It couldn’t have been better.”

Accredited with the National Accreditation Commission for Early Care and Education Programs, Ready, Set, Grow employs 14 employees who help care for 72 children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old.

“Every day is just a new, exciting adventure,” McGuire said. “I always enjoy coming to work every day. When you’re working with kids, it’s always going to be something great.”

Ready, Set, Grow was built on the principles of providing a safe, fun learning environment, and developing “the whole child” through hands-on and creative activities designed to facilitate emotional, social, physical and academic development.

The small student-to-teacher ratio allows teachers to work on an individual level with students to help them learn and grow, and to prepare them for the transition to elementary school.

“No child learns at the same level, everyone learns differently. We have to figure out what is the way that they learn, and how we can grasp it,” McGuire said. “When children leave here, they’re going to be well prepared for kindergarten.”

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