Angela Hayes, a working mom who runs two child care centers and a restaurant, understands the needs of working parents.  They want a warm, nurturing and well-run center that is available during their working hours. It’s a bonus if the center is located close to work and home.

One of Angela’s child care centers, Lil Brilliant Mindz on Shoemaker Street, near the Stellantis Detroit Assembly Complex – Mack and Jefferson plants  – meets all of these requirements.

The center has been there since 2015, after Angela ran out of space at her in-home child care center. 

“I realized then there was a big need for child care. So, I got licensed, and opened the site on Shoemaker. And within a month, we were fully booked,” said Angela. “But there was space to expand, so I applied for a Motor City Match grant in 2016 and won.”

The expanded site is licensed for 126 kids, and as Stellantis brings 5,000 new workers to the area, Angela believes there will be a continued need for the quality services offered by Lil Brilliant Mindz. The four-star facility offers a free Early Head Start program for infants and toddlers and preschool for kids aged 3 – 5. They are open weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. to accommodate working parents’ schedules.

Because the facility is licensed for 24-hour care, Angela is keeping Stellantis workers in mind. 

“Soon, I may be able to serve the night shift,” said Angela.