Help L’il Ladybugs Daycare Expand;

Support ‘Mission Main Street’ Grant

ONEONTA – Shannon McHugh has turned her home into a community for children of all socio-economic, family and cultural backgrounds.

And now, she hopes the community will help her expand L’il Ladybugs Daycare with the click of a button.

McHugh, who was selected as one of the Hometown Oneonta & The Freeman’s Journal “20 Under 40,” is in the running to receive a $100,000 grant from Chase Bank’s “Mission Main Street” Grants, which invites people to vote for small businesses with large community impact. 250 “Likes” on the L’il Ladybugs Daycare page will help McHugh make the next round, where she will vie against other small businesses nationwide to receive one of 20 such grants.

“Our goal with this grant would be to expand,” said McHugh. “We’ve had to turn down families because New York State law says that home-based daycare can only host six children and two school-age kids.”

In addition to daycare, McHugh has also made L’il Ladybugs a safe place for families struggling with stability to find resources to help them get back on their feet. Families who want a place for their children to grow and develop with activities such as pretend playing along with other children their age. “We’ve had families from the domestic violence shelter, families whose kids are struggling with development disabilities and have trouble in other programs,” she said. “I’ve driven families to the Meadows so they can get connected to services. I feel like I should have an opportunity to care for these children.”

The grant would also help McHugh bring in an additional teacher, as well as physical, occupation and art therapy providers. “This way, kids don’t have to bounce between various programs.”

To vote for L’il Ladybugs Daycare, click here.