Creative Minds Child Care

Our Teachers

As the proud owner of Creative Minds Child Care, Gina Gusti shares her energy, enthusiasm and expertise with each and every family who entrusts their children to her care. With more than 25 years of experience, her commitment to providing quality care at an affordable price is a part of who she is, not just a job.

A state licensed professional, Gina consistently demonstrates her passion for helping children learn through play while providing a culturally diverse environment. She is bilingual, teaching students about the world around them though modeled behavior, foreign language instruction and introduction to ethnic foods, games and traditions.

It’s important to Gina that her interactions with students promote the importance of being kind while reflecting a commitment to community, physical activities, healthy eating, self-esteem and creative endeavors.

She strikes the perfect balance between academics and healthy living. Gina is a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, nutritionist, yoga and and licensed Zumbini instructor. Her expertise in youth fitness and child nutrition is reflected in her carefully crafted curriculum that focuses on the whole child. Students participate in daily fitness activities, including dance, balancing and other agility-based physical games.

Gina understands that child care requires patience, understanding and a complex set of skills. She earned a degree in Early Childhood Education (graduating Magna Cum Laude), is endorsed by the Virginia Department of Social Services. She is also a participant of Virginia Quality, a voluntary quality rating and improvement program designed to improve the quality of child care and early learning programs.

For Gina, the best part of her profession is making a difference in people’s lives. By partnering with parents to provide quality, compassionate care combined with lessons designed to develop children into critical thinkers and compassionate adults, her heart is full at the end of each day.

Testimonials

Ms. Gina is a true gift from God. She takes pride in her business and the amazing care she provides for each child that walks in her door. She provides a safe space where your child will learn and be loved. She keeps you updated on your child’s day and send home work to show your children’s progress and I LOVE that. I am so glad to have her caring for my children. She has made a true impact on my family. I recommend her 100%.  (Kira Walston)

My kid has been going here for about 2 years now since about birth and I wouldn’t switch her for the world. The daily schedule includes just about everything, and we’re updated throughout the day via phone app. You literally get activity updates and real time pics of your kid. Can’t beat the service and care. Highly recommended. (Keon Winston)

Ms.Gina is one of The most genuine people I have ever met! She truly loves her job and all the kids! I’m so glad I begin my son there years ago she truly helped make my little boy the good boy he is today! We had to move on to big school but he still talks about Ms. Gina and Ms. Jasmine. I f you’re looking for a place for your kids you won’t be disappointed with creative minds… (Melissa Worley)

Miss Gina has been the absolute best child care provider I could ever ask for. She does several learning activities, Arts and crafts, story and reading time, outside motor activities and playtime, even YOGA with the children. They have absolutely excellent breakfast and lunch and my child is always smiling and happy to get there in the morning. I feel safe and peace of mind and will take her there until she’s too old to go. Best provider ever. Full of love and care. She also uses The bright wheel app so that you can see and check in on your child throughout the day. Hands down amazing care.  (Cherri Gordon) 

My daughter was with Ms. Gina (Creative minds) for several years. it is such a warm and comfortable atmosphere, Ms. Gina is a lovely person and she loves kids and they adore her. (Elaine Meade)

Creative Minds Child Care is the best daycare in Chesterfield. I was sad to leave once we relocated but blessed and honored to have this facility for my girls. (Latisha White)

I’ve been with Ms. Gina for 8 years. She has cared for 2 of my 3 children. She’s the best at what she does. My children are safe, she is 100% reliable, they learn both educationally and the consequences of misbehavior (time out, loss of play time and possibly their end of week treat). Ms. Gina loves her kids and her kids love her! (Tonya Debrow)

In this scary world it can be hard to trust someone to watch your child. Not only do I feel that my child is safe and protected at Creative Minds Child Care but I also know that she is loved, educated, and nurtured. If my child can’t be at home with me then there is no other provider I would choose for my child care needs! (Brooke Mabon)

My family and I have been blessed to have Ms. Gina and Creative Minds Child Care in our lives. My daughter’s are now 11 and 8 but they were at least 2 and 6 months when she started caring for them and she was a gem to our family. I hated leaving them when I returned to work but I knew they were in good hands. Ms. Gina took care of each child as her own and they all loved her. I never had to worry about her closing unless it was an emergency or she made sure we all were provided notice to make other arrangements. As I watch her services progress over the years she has made me proud. I wish we didn’t have to move but if I could have picked her up and moved her with us. I smile every day that I see a little angel graduate to the next level. Thank You Ms. Gina for giving back to our community….I am Grateful, We are Thankful. (Latisha White)

Philosophy

We are deeply committed to providing the best possible experience for children.  Young children have an innate ability and desire to learn, and they must be given the freedom to explore and develop at their own pace. We create an environment that is stimulating and developmentally appropriate. When the proper physical and psychological environment is provided, learning naturally follows.

About our program

As a state-licensed home facility, Creative Minds Child Care is a close-knit community focused on each child’s individual needs. Through meaningful play, children are offered opportunities to explore their unique interests, make social connections with their peers and become inquisitive, enthusiastic learners.

Our program supports the whole child’s development. We prepare children ages 16 months-5 years old for the rigors of kindergarten, providing them with a strong academic foundation in a fun and safe learning environment. Using a structured routine with built-in flexibility, we nurture critical social skills, emotional development and natural abilities. We also focus on children’s mental and physical well-being, sharing health, fitness and nutrition information so they are encouraged to try new foods, participate in outdoor recreation activities and create healthy habits. We offer enriching early development through music and movement with Zumbini through our licensed onsite instructor.

Our multicultural environment promotes unity, social connections and giving back to our community in a family-like atmosphere. Through purposeful communication and meaningful friendships, we connect families with each other. Parents from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds can bond with others who share common concerns about the growth, interests and needs of their children. Our role is partnering with families in a transformational manner; caring for their children while they pursue independent interests and helping them expand their personal understanding of child development.

As a group, we are an integral part of the Richmond community. Together, we focus on character traits that help children recognize the importance of being a good citizen as we participate in group activities that give back to our local neighborhoods.

Our philosophy is that early childhood education encompasses so much more than learning about the alphabet and basic math concepts. From an early age, we enrich children’s lives, inspiring a lifelong love for learning that will serve them well as they grow into curious students, active teenagers and passionate young adults.