Today we’d like to introduce you to Lacey Webster.
Hi Lacey, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Working with children started for me at the early age of 9. Starting as a local babysitter I had a client list for both hands by the time I reached double digits. Along with childcare, I was a professional model for 20 years. I started modeling at age 15 after being scouted by many agents and agencies. I landed with an agency in San Francisco and ended up on runways all over the country from New York, Chicago and LA. To pursue modeling further I moved to the LA area at the age of 24. I grew up riding horses since age 3 and always dreamed of living on horse property. This dream landed me on a tiny ranch 20 minutes from Hollywood. The horse dream had reached it’s max for California and knew that I was being called to the great state of Texas in 2016. Due to my country roots, way of looking at life and overall demeanor, everyone thought I was from Texas for YEARS! I decided to make it a reality and answer the call spoken over me by so many. I was not much of a “California girl” anyway.
I was shot like an arrow from my tiny LA ranch to Bastrop, Texas where I started attending a local church right away. Only months after attending this church the Lord brought to me an amazing man, Brady. We were engaged and married in November 2017. I became a staff member of this church, having the opportunity to oversee the Children’s Ministry for over 5 years. *Brady is originally from the Houston area and has been in Bastrop for over 20 years.
A new season was upon me as my heart’s desire was to impact and influence children for the kingdom of heaven more than one hour on Sunday. I stepped down from my role of Children’s Ministry and felt immediately called to open up a Christian Preschool on our 14 acre ranch property. My goal was to partner with families to provide a safe, nurturing and intentional program to equip and empower preschool students on a firm foundation rooted in Jesus.
Our school opened January 2023.
I was burdened with opening the school to shine light in a dark space of the childcare industry. Many daycares and schools in our surrounding areas were being shut down for child abuse, deaths and insubordination with the state of Texas requirements. Even with the level and quality of care being provided to Bastrop most daycares and schools have a 6 month waitlist. I am literally a diamond in the rough and only if you are seeking a nature based, Christian program would you seek and find me.
It burdens my heart to know most preschool programs allow their students 30 minutes of recess or outdoor time. One of our priorities is spending more than 3 hours a day outside in nature. I am very passionate about getting children outside, allowing God’s creation to be the best classroom we could ever hope and dream for.
Aside from our nature based learning, you would find our food served is above and beyond any industry standards. All our meats served are hormone free, grass fed, organic and purchased outside any government food program. This allows us to tailor make each home cooked meal to give the students a healthy foundation and relationship with food. I serve breakfast, lunch and snack daily and rarely have anything that comes from a package.
It is an honor and a privilege to do this and I am blessed to be able to! I have not collected a pay check since opening the school! I say this to emphasize the passion in which I have to put all the tuition back into my students and our school program. A big shout out to my amazing, hard working husband which makes that even possible!
The level of care and excellence because of all of these factors sets me and my program apart from all others. As added blessings for our families we host many school events throughout the year where we get to celebrate with uncles, aunts, grandparents and cousins having dinners and sharing in holidays together. We also host 2 parents night out events each year that are completely free to our enrolled students and any siblings of age.
What a joy to shepherd these children and support our wonderful families!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Working with the state of Texas I have had nothing but green lights! The only struggle is if there is a child/family that may not be a good fit for our program. Every child is different and some need certain environments to thrive. I would encourage any parent reading this to find a school environment that aligns with your principals and values at home.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have had a lifelong passion for working with children! I pursued and studied Early Childhood Development through Texas A&M, have learned through 5+ years overseeing Children’s Ministry, finally to opening my school in 2023. I specialize in discipling and educating preschoolers in a nature, child lead and play based program. Implementing a faith based curriculum is something that sets me apart, as many preschools are only play based, or only child lead and not structured for education to build upon itself for a well rounded student.
I am most amazed by my God, who answered my 9 year old dreams recorded in a diary. The diary entry shared my juvenile heart’s dreams to live on a ranch, have horses and hear children running and laughing down the hallways.
The level of care, meals, 14 acre nature environment, having 2 horses, 5 miniature donkeys, 2 dogs, barn kitties and water trough fish allows this piece of land with a home on it to be a child’s wonder world. I am set apart because of the spiritual, physical, emotional, social needs of each child being met to the limits of the sky and not some piece of paper.
What matters most to you? Why?
Jesus. My husband. Family. My students. My precious sweet animals and our amazing property. I am so grateful to be living out the dreams I had stored in my heart as a small child.
I want to leave a legacy where I make children’s dreams come true. By planting their feet on a firm foundation of Jesus, partnering with their families, meeting and exceeding their needs and helping them be the most happy, healthy, kind, capable version of themselves.
Learn. Grow. Lead is our pulse at Learning Lions. These students amaze me and the fruit our program produces is endless.
Pricing:
- Tuition is currenly $900/month for our full time preschool enrollment
Contact Info:
- Website: https://learninglionscs.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learninglionscs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LearningLionsCS
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/learning-lions-christian-school-cedar-creek
