Elena Farias shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Elena, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Since we last spoke, life has changed quite a bit! I’ve gone from being a newlywed and first-time mom to a proud mother of four. Our home is full, loud, and full of love. These days, you’ll usually find me juggling groceries, cooking dinner, or managing day-to-day operations at The Little Learning Place. I’m often writing lesson plans with one hand and prepping bottles with the other—it’s a constant balancing act, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Elena Farias, and I’m the Director of The Little Learning Place in Houston, TX. I’ve proudly held this role for nearly 10 years now. I first stepped into the childcare world back in 2004, and honestly, I’ve been in love with this work ever since. There’s nothing like watching a child grow, develop, and discover the world right in front of you. Some might call me a perfectionist—I just say I deeply care about what I do.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
Without a doubt, my own children. Becoming a mom gave me a whole new perspective. It helped me understand children on a deeper level and truly see what they need—not just emotionally, but developmentally. That insight shapes how I run the center and build our curriculum every week.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d say, stop stressing so much. Even when things feel impossible, they have a way of working out—especially when you’re doing what you love. Keep going. You’re going to be just fine.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Definitely. I’m a mom who works, but I also run a center that cares for other people’s children—the same way I care for my own. Parents trust me with their babies while they’re out working hard, and that trust is something I take seriously every single day.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely. That question hits close to home. In childcare, it’s easy for the day-to-day work to go unnoticed—after all, parents are busy and rely on us so they can do their jobs. But to me, this is more than just a job. These are the foundational years when children are learning how to crawl, walk, talk, and interact with the world. As a director, I pour that understanding into every weekly lesson plan. Even if no one sees the behind-the-scenes work, I know we’re shaping little lives—and that’s what matters most.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelittlelearningplace
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thelittlelearningplace
