For more than a decade, Hazel Gardner has dedicated her life to helping children learn, grow, and thrive. A longtime educator with the Mobile County Public School System, Hazel understood firsthand the critical role that early childhood education plays in shaping a child’s future. She also recognized the challenges working families face in finding safe, nurturing, and affordable childcare. Driven by a passion for education and service, Hazel founded Watch Me Grow Daycare with a simple but powerful vision: create a place where children could receive a strong educational foundation while parents pursued opportunities to support their families. What began as a small in-home daycare serving just five children has grown into one of Mobile’s trusted early learning centers, now serving more than 135 children and families throughout the community. But reaching that milestone required more than hard work and determination.
It required access to capital.
When Traditional Financing Wasn’t an Option
As demand for childcare services increased, Hazel knew expansion was necessary. Mobile’s families needed more capacity, more classrooms, and more opportunities for quality early education. Yet despite a proven track record and growing demand, Hazel was unable to secure financing through two other financial institutions. For many small business owners, particularly women and minority entrepreneurs serving underserved communities, access to capital remains one of the greatest barriers to growth. Instead of allowing those setbacks to derail her vision, Hazel continued searching for a financial partner who would see the potential in both her business and the community she serves.
She found that partner in Commonwealth National Bank.
A Community Partnership That Made Growth Possible
For more than 50 years, Commonwealth National Bank has been committed to helping individuals, families, businesses, and communities build stronger financial futures. When Hazel approached Commonwealth, the bank recognized both the strength of her business and the impact it was creating in the community. Under the leadership of President and CEO Sidney King, Commonwealth approved financing in just six days, providing the capital necessary to move her expansion plans forward.
That financing transformed a vision into reality.
The Impact: More Children Served. More Families Supported.
With Commonwealth’s support, Watch Me Grow Daycare successfully expanded into a new facility capable of serving significantly more children and families. Today, what began as a home-based operation serving five children has grown into a thriving educational center serving 135 children.
The impact extends far beyond the walls of the daycare. Every child enrolled gains access to a safe, nurturing learning environment; Every parent gains peace of mind knowing their child is receiving quality care and educational support; Every family gains greater ability to work, earn income, and pursue economic opportunity. And the community benefits from a local business creating jobs, supporting families, and investing in the next generation.
Hazel’s story demonstrates what can happen when community-focused financial institutions have the resources to invest in local entrepreneurs.
Looking Ahead
Today, Watch Me Grow Daycare stands as a testament to faith, perseverance, entrepreneurship, and the power of partnership. Through the partnership between Watch Me Grow Daycare and Commonwealth National Bank, one committed entrepreneur’s vision has become a community asset, helping children learn, families succeed, and futures grow brighter every day.
