Spotlight of the Week: Mrs. Itoro Ugorji – A Visionary in Early Childhood Education

This week, our spotlight shines on Mrs. Itoro Ugorji, a distinguished early years professional and childcare consultant whose passion for nurturing young minds has led her to become a key figure in the field of Early Childhood Education in Nigeria. As the Chief Executive Officer of The Baby Lounge, Mrs. Itoro is dedicated to creating safe, nurturing, and enriching environments for children, particularly through employer-sponsored crèches.

Mrs. Itoro’s career journey is nothing short of inspiring. Before fully immersing herself in the childcare sector, she spent over six years working for two of Nigeria’s leading banking institutions, GTBank and Access Bank, where she rose to positions of increasing responsibility. However, her passion for child development and care led her to make a bold decision to leave her corporate career and pursue her calling in childcare.

Her commitment to excellence in childcare is backed by a wealth of hands-on experience, including international exposure. Itoro’s work at Nursery Hill Elementary School and Smart Kidz Academy in Columbia, South Carolina, gave her invaluable insights into global best practices in early years education. She also holds a Diploma in Children’s Studies and is currently pursuing a Master of Science (M.Sc) in Early Childhood Education, specializing in Administration, Management, and Leadership.

As a professional in the field, Mrs. Itoro is a member of the U.S. National Association for Educating the Young Child (N.A.E.Y.C) and the World Forum Foundation, both prestigious international networks that foster the global exchange of ideas on delivering quality services for young children in diverse settings. Her involvement in these organizations reflects her commitment to maintaining high standards in early childhood education and ensuring that children in Nigeria receive the same quality of care and education as their counterparts around the world.

One of Mrs. Itoro’s core competencies lies in the design, setup, and management of employer-sponsored crèches—a vital service that enables working parents to balance their careers with the demands of raising young children. Itoro has successfully implemented crèche facilities for some of Nigeria’s biggest corporations, including TOTAL E&P (Nig), Access Bank Plc., and MTN Nigeria. These initiatives not only support working parents but also ensure that children receive quality care and education in a safe environment while their parents are at work.

In addition to her practical work in childcare, Mrs. Itoro is a recognized thought leader and advocate for early childhood education. She has been featured in several notable publications and media platforms, including This Day, Vanguard, Business Day, Guardian Life, Ebony Life TV, TVC, and Arise TV. Her dedication to the sector has also earned her a place as an alumnus of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, a prestigious entrepreneurship program that has empowered her to expand her influence in the childcare space.

Mrs. Itoro’s impact extends beyond her professional achievements. She is a passionate advocate for creating safe, nurturing environments where children can grow, learn, and thrive. Her work continues to inspire others in the field of early years education and highlights the importance of supporting young children and their families.

This week, we celebrate Mrs. Itoro Ugorji for her groundbreaking work in early childhood education, her commitment to creating employer-sponsored crèches, and her ongoing dedication to elevating the standards of childcare in Nigeria and beyond. Her visionary approach to childcare and her unwavering passion for the well-being of children make her a true role model in the sector.

We are deeply honored to have Mrs. Itoro Ugorji join us as one of our esteemed speakers at the 6th Edition of the Women Working with Children Conference, taking place on the 25th and 26th of October 2024.

We are honored to have Mrs. Itoro Ugorji share her wealth of experience and insight as she discusses the topic: “The Power of Play: Unlocking Children’s Cognitive and Emotional Development through Recreation.”

This year’s conference will feature distinguished speakers, passionate women working with children, and men who stand alongside them in this important cause.

Time: Day 1 (7pm WAT |2pm EST) Day 2 (6pm WAT |1pm EST)

Location: Virtual Conference which will be streaming LIVE on the Taiwo Akinlami YouTube channel via this link : https://bit.ly/TaiwoAkinlamiYouTubeChannel.

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