An early childhood collaborative improving education outcomes for Black and Latino children
392 Legion Avenue, New Haven, CT 06519
An Early Childhood Education Incubator For Entrepreneurs
Coming Soon:
The Legacy Learning Lab is both a licensed childcare center and a workforce development center designed to recruit, train, and empower aspiring family childcare providers. By operating as a training facility, Legacy offers participants hands-on experience in early childhood education while modeling best practices in a supportive environment. Participants receive classroom instruction, coaching, and practical exposure that prepares them for the demands of running a licensed home-based childcare program.
This dual-function model is intentionally designed to foster entrepreneurship and long-term economic mobility. Legacy will help individuals—particularly women of color—build their own legacies through sustainable small business ownership. As they gain licensure and experience, participants will be supported in launching their own childcare businesses, often from their homes, creating pathways to increased income and personal empowerment. In many cases, this entrepreneurial journey will also open doors to home ownership, as stable business income enables providers to invest in family wealth and community stability.
Legacy is more than a training site—it is a springboard for a new generation of early childhood leaders, rooted in their communities and equipped to deliver culturally affirming care with excellence and purpose.
Meet the Businesses Growing at Legacy
The vision behind Legacy Learning Lab comes to life through the entrepreneurs building businesses of their own. As part of the Lab, emerging childcare providers gain the hands-on experience, business knowledge, and support they need to move from aspiration to ownership.
Meet two of the businesses taking shape through Legacy, and the entrepreneurs behind them.
DeVonna S. Lewis, Founder
With over 15 years of experience as an early childhood educator, working in the classroom and as an Assistant Director/Curriculum Specialist, DeVonna S. Lewis has developed the knowledge, skills, and commitment necessary to provide high-quality care and education to young children.
Through the Legacy Learning Lab Incubator, DeVonna will have the opportunity to establish and operate her own family childcare business while building on her experience as an educator and strengthening her skills as a business owner.
Her vision is to create a program that serves children and families while providing a safe, nurturing, and high-quality learning environment for the children entrusted to her care. For DeVonna, business ownership offers a way to continue doing the work she values while creating greater professional and economic opportunity.
Sade Simmons, Founder/Owner & Tanya Simmons, Co-Founder/Owner
Sade and Tanya Simmons are early childhood educators and aspiring childcare business owners working to establish Blessings Daycare, a childcare program dedicated to serving children and families in New Haven.
For nearly four years, they have worked with children, strengthening their passion for early childhood education and their commitment to supporting the growth and development of young children. As mothers, they also understand firsthand how difficult it can be for parents to find childcare providers they genuinely trust.
Their vision is for families to feel welcomed, supported, and confident in the care their children receive. Ultimately, they want every parent to be able to say, “I feel comfortable leaving my child at Blessings Daycare because I know my child is safe, loved, and well cared for.”
From Experience to Ownership
Blessings Daycare and A.C.E. represent the beginning of what the Legacy Learning Lab is designed to make possible: helping experienced and aspiring early childhood educators develop the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to build sustainable childcare businesses.
Through training, coaching, mentorship, licensing guidance, and hands-on experience, participants will prepare to operate high-quality childcare programs of their own—creating new opportunities for educators while expanding childcare options for New Haven families.