Alexander Cain
Sharon Havior was all smiles as she cut the ceremonial blue ribbon during a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting outside her business Tuesday afternoon.
Rainbow Children Daycare Center originally started in Havior’s home years ago as Havior cared for her son, who has cerebral palsy.
She soon began to use her experience to help others, eventually becoming officially certified in day care through a course provided by the Milledgeville Housing Authority.
It wasn’t long before she found herself helping to care for so many children in her home that she, along with Bennie Havior, opened a business for day care on Wolverine Street in Milledgeville.
Five years ago, the business moved to its current location on North Jefferson Street. Today there are more than 50 local children whose parents bring their sons and daughters to Rainbow Children Daycare Center, according to Sharon Havior.
“I raised two children and am helping to raise my nephew. I’ve never come in contact with a daycare center as good as this one. They are kind to everybody,” Milledgeville resident Mary Ellen Phillips said.
Rainbow Children Daycare Center, LLC, cares for children from ages six weeks to 12 years old, and charges $70 for infants and $60 for toddlers and those up to age 12.
The Center offers a variety of services and even works with DFCS, according to Havior.
“We provide learning skills and every day skills, and before and after school care, and travel to and from school,” Sharon Havior said.
The Center runs from around 5:30 a.m. to as late as 11 p.m. at night.
When questioned on where Havior and her dedicated staff find the energy, Bennie Havior attributed that same dedication to helping to work with each child on an individual basis and provide hands-on care as needed.
“Playing with kids, talking to them and seeing them play — you just enjoy your day,” Bennie Havior said.
