The Wright Choice Learning Center

Sandra Lee Baca opened the Wright Choice Learning Center in August of 1985 in Belen, New Mexico when, as a single mother, she recognized a need for quality day care in the Middle Rio Grande valley. Her clientele grew rapidly. She soon moved her business to a 2100 square foot building where she provided care for more than 30 children. The Wright Choice reputation spread. By 1995, the business had outgrown the building. Ms. Baca realized she would have to buy or build a larger facility to accommodate her growing clientele.

It was at that time that Sandra Baca sought the assistance of the New Mexico Small Business Development Center. She began working with Ray Garcia when he directed the UNM Valencia SBDC and continued to work with him when he moved centers and took over the directorship of the Albuquerque SBDC at CNM. Together Ms. Baca and Mr. Garcia worked on a business plan that addressed the growth of demand for her child-care center. They prepared a ‘Pre-Qualified Women’s Loan Program Application’ and submitted the package to the SBA in the Spring of 1996. It was approved! Sandra keeps the entire package in her office as a memento, including the approval letter sent to Mr. Garcia by Murray G. Saunders on July 3, 1996; just two days after Mr. Garcia took over the Albuquerque center at CNM. Construction of the new child-care facility soon followed.

Sandra Baca’s 3 Star facility now encompasses 6230 square feet and sits on an acre of land far away from noise, traffic, and dust. It includes a large playground with climbing and playing equipment to fit the developmental needs of different age groups. Her clientele ranges from six weeks old to twelve years. Twenty video cameras continually monitor the five classrooms as well as the outdoor surrounding areas. The staff prepares home cooked nutritious meals in a fully equipped kitchen.

Ms. Baca believes her center serves as a vital extension of today’s families: “Our goal is to create an environment of imagination and creativity by providing a variety of learning and exploratory experiences in a warm, nurturing, and responsive environment where the child will feel safe and free to experiment, test, and discover. We strive to foster intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development. We believe that children learn best from staff that are warm, nurturing, and well trained. In addition, an important part of our program is to support the family; therefore, we encourage and appreciate parental input, observations, and participation.”

The Wright Choice Learning Center has twelve very well trained and exceptional employees that help Ms. Baca accomplish this. Her business has flourished for 28 years.

The Wright Choice Learning Center demonstrates how the NMSBDC network can assist clients over the very long term.

The Learning Center was honored at the 2014 New Mexico Small Business Development Center's Day at the Legislature in February at the State Capitol! Congratulations!

Contact information:
Sandra Lee Baca, Owner
901 W Vivian Rd, Belen, NM 87002
(505) 864-2530    wrightchoicelc@comcast.net

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