Introduction

Hello, I’m Nicole Richardson, the Owner and Director of Butterfly Effect Academy. I’m a mother of two beautiful daughters, a wife, and a dedicated business owner. I hold a Master's Degree in Business and another in Early Childhood Education.

Butterfly Effect Academy was born out of my personal experience as a mother of a child with special needs. When my daughter was in childcare, we discovered her disability, but the lack of resources and empathy in that environment made it an incredibly challenging time. She was high-functioning, so a special needs school didn't seem like the right fit, but she also struggled in a general education setting. Unfortunately, no one in the childcare community was able to provide guidance or support.

That experience led me to make a life-changing decision—to create a childcare center that welcomes all children and offers support to their families. I left my corporate career to focus on building a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child can thrive. Within our first year, Butterfly Effect Academy achieved STAR 2 status, and within three years, we advanced to STAR 4. The journey has been demanding, but seeing the joy on the faces of the children and their families makes every challenge worthwhile.