PlayCare

PlayCare is a drop-off childcare center for children with all abilities that provides developmental therapy services for children with various disabilities. PlayCare targets families who are not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid, but are not rich enough to afford co-pays or pay for services out of pocket.

Daily programs will be provided that are structured to foster collaboration, multicultural understanding, communication skills, teamwork and sustainability. These programs promote team work while also encouraging individualism throughout the child’s development. This start-up business is providing families across the Greenville region with affordable child care and discounted therapy services.

The PlayCare team of Kate Bukoski (from left), Kathryn Denaro, Brian Mitchell and Robert Pinner participated in the Social Entrepreneurship Competition.

Meet the team

Kathryn Denaro and Brian Mitchell are partners on the PlayCare project. Denaro graduated from East Carolina University in May 2015. She was in the University Studies program with a thematic core in youth and family advocacy and a minor in child development and family relations. Brian Mitchell studied in the College of Business, focusing on entrepreneurship and small business management.

PlayCare and its partners were supported by ECU faculty advisors Kate Bukoski and Robert Pinner. Bukoski is an assistant professor in the School of Art and Design and was an Engagement and Outreach Scholars Academy scholar conducting engaged research in 2012. Pinner works with the Small Business and Technology Development Center regional branch at ECU and advises the team on business strategy and implementation.

PalyCare’s complete business plan is provided online.