.png)
🌟 About US
U-DREAM-IT. WE-APPROVE-IT. U-LAUNCH-IT.
Turn-keying everyday homes into home-based businesses.
We’re so glad you’re here! Whether you’re a parent, educator, or aspiring entrepreneur, thank you for taking the time to learn about our mission and the work we do to empower families and professionals across Virginia.
🚀 Our Mission
At U-LAUNCH: IT, our mission is clear:
U-DREAM-IT. WE-APPROVE-IT. U-LAUNCH-IT. Turn-keying everyday homes into home-based businesses.
We equip skilled professionals with the pathways, tools, and support to launch state-approved, turn-key home-based businesses—driving economic mobility, educational equity, and community empowerment across the Commonwealth.
💡 Our Vision
To be the leading force in transforming skilled professionals into empowered entrepreneurs—setting a new statewide standard for home-based innovation, career advancement, and equitable opportunity for all.
🏛️ Our Structure
At the heart of U-LAUNCH: IT is the U-LAUNCH: Virginia Board of Early Childhood Directors, which provides governance, oversight, and strategic direction for all U-LAUNCH initiatives.
Three interconnected divisions work together to align education, entrepreneurship, and family empowerment into one cohesive workforce development system:
🏡 U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes (CDH)
U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes (CDH) is licensed by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) as a Family Day System—a designation granted to organizations that approve, supervise, and support a network of home-based childcare programs.
As a licensed system, we carry full responsibility for ensuring that every approved home meets Virginia’s standards for safety, quality, and child development.
Under this license, U-LAUNCH: IT provides the workforce development framework that empowers individuals to transition from employment to entrepreneurship, while U-LAUNCH: CDH provides the centralized administrative functions that power the system’s success statewide.
As a Licensed Family Day System, we are responsible for:
-
Approving and certifying childhood development homes that operate under our system’s oversight.
-
Referring children to approved homes and, when needed, to local health and social services for early intervention and family support.
-
Providing training, technical assistance, and consultation to home-based providers to ensure ongoing quality and compliance.
-
Conducting inspections and supervision of each home, including quarterly visits (with at least two unannounced annually) to maintain compliance with state standards.
-
Maintaining accurate administrative records for each provider and family served, including enrollment, billing, and tuition collection where applicable.
-
Ensuring that each approved home cares for no more than nine children and that all providers meet the same background checks, central registry, and health screening standards as licensed family day home providers.
Through these functions, U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes fulfills its regulatory role while empowering home-based educators to operate as small business owners.
By coupling licensing and compliance with training, entrepreneurship, and administrative support, U-LAUNCH: IT and U-LAUNCH: CDH together create a sustainable model where Virginia quality childcare meets workforce opportunity.
🎓 U-LAUNCH: YOU Early Learning Academy
Our professional training division delivers structured, competency-based learning for early childhood professionals.
Through the U-LAUNCH: Virginia Childhood Development Credential (VCDC), participants earn recognized credentials, micro-credentials, and continuing-education hours aligned with 8VAC20-780-190 Program Director Qualifications and national standards.
The Academy is also open to individuals enrolled in GED programs and high-school Early Childhood Development courses, creating a seamless pathway for the next generation of early educators.
💼 Workforce Development Home-Based Programs
Beyond early education, U-LAUNCH: IT empowers professionals to build sustainable, home-based careers across industries.
We provide career readiness, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship training, helping individuals transform their skills into sustainable income while strengthening local communities and families.
💜 Our Story
Our founder, Nicole St. Ann-Ahmad, first envisioned U-LAUNCH while studying at Norfolk State University—balancing motherhood, coursework, and Army cadet training while struggling to find reliable childcare.
Her class project became an award-winning business plan in NSU’s 2011 Hodge Business Plan Competition—and the blueprint for what would later grow into U-LAUNCH.
When the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped childcare in 2019, Nicole discovered the Family Day System licensed program, an underutilized model that empowers educators to open licensed home programs under a unified system.
That discovery reignited her mission to make entrepreneurship accessible, turn-key, and community-rooted.
💫 Our Impact
In June 2024, U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes became an official 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Today, the U-LAUNCH network continues to expand statewide—training, approving, and equipping home-based providers; connecting families to trusted care; and building a stronger, more equitable early-learning workforce.
💜 Join the Movement
If you believe in creating access to opportunity, uplifting educators, and building stronger communities—we invite you to partner with us.
👉 Donate Today
👉 Become a Community Partner
👉 Sponsor a New Provider
Together, we’re building a Virginia where education, entrepreneurship, and empowerment begin at home.
U-Dream-It. We-Approve-It. U-LAUNCH-IT.
Turn-Keying Homes into Home-Based Businesses.
U-LAUNCH: Virginia Board of Early Childhood Directors
Divisions are governed by U-LAUNCH: Virginia Board of Early Childhood Directors that meets on the 15th of the month quarterly. If you are interested in joining our board, please email cdha@ulaunchit.com.
Herbert Potts
Jeffery Ahmad
Deborah Jefferson
President
A retired U.S. Navy Veteran, civic leader, and entrepreneur, Mr. Potts has served as Regional Chairman of the Democratic Committee in Norfolk, Judge Advocate and Adjutant for the American Legion, and Union Manager of Local 710 Operating Engineers.
He is the founder of several successful ventures, including Fix It Build It Construction, a restaurant and mobile food service, and Kokomo’s Developers real estate company.
As Board President, he brings vision, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to empowering families and communities across Virginia through U-LAUNCH’s mission.
Linda Pearson
Treasurer
Ms. Linda Person serves as Treasurer of the U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes Board, bringing valuable experience in business, finance, and community service.
An entrepreneur and tax professional, she provides fiscal oversight and trusted guidance to ensure responsible stewardship of U-LAUNCH’s resources while advancing its mission to empower educators and strengthen communities across Virginia.
Vice President
Mr. Jeffery Ahmad serves as Vice President of the U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes Board, offering strategic leadership and operational expertise to advance U-LAUNCH’s mission.
With a background in business management and community development, he helps strengthen organizational systems and partnerships that promote opportunity, education, and entrepreneurship across Virginia.
Antoinette Willis
Member -At-Large
Ms. Antoinette Willis holds a B.S. in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from Norfolk State University and is a certified Pre-K–12 Health and Physical Education teacher.
With experience as a Pre-K educator and community advocate, she brings a passion for child wellness, education, and workforce readiness to the U-LAUNCH Board.
Secretary
Mrs. Deborah Jefferson serves as Secretary of the U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes Board, bringing strong administrative leadership and a passion for early childhood education.
Her expertise in organization, communication, and record management helps ensure transparency, efficiency, and alignment with U-LAUNCH’s mission to empower educators and strengthen communities.
Kimberley Butler Gatling
Member -At-Large
Ms. Kimberley Butler-Gatling brings over two decades of experience in early childhood education, counseling, and human services.
An alumna of Norfolk State University, she holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and an M.A. in Urban Education/Counseling, and is certified as a QIDP, QMHP, and Virginia Notary. Her expertise in child development and family advocacy strengthens U-LAUNCH’s commitment to quality care and professional growth.
Johnita Rush
Member -At-Large
Ms. Johnita Rush holds an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Development and has extensive experience as a toddler and pre-K teacher.
Her hands-on understanding of child development and classroom management supports U-LAUNCH’s mission to expand access to high-quality early learning opportunities across Virginia.