Big Dreams Child Care Center Website Overhaul

PROJECT: Big Dreams Child Care Center

Client: Confidential

Role: Lead Web App Developer & Automation Engineer

Scope: Full-Stack WordPress Development · API Orchestration · Lead Automation

Tools: WordPress (Elementor Pro), PHP, MySQL, WP Engine, Resend API

Big Dreams is a premier early childhood education center in Brooklyn, NYC. I was tasked with developing a high-performance WordPress ecosystem that functions as more than just a website; it acts as an automated admissions office. The platform manages complex age-based curricula, local SEO for multiple Brooklyn branches, and real-time parent engagement.

The primary hurdle was overcoming the "bloat" often associated with WordPress to deliver a lightning-fast mobile experience. The project required:

Automated Lead Management: Moving beyond basic contact forms to a system that captures, validates, and routes tour requests.

Dynamic Content Mapping: Structuring custom post types (CPTs) to handle distinct programs for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers.

Security & Compliance: Ensuring the platform meets data privacy standards for parent information while integrating third-party health portals.

As the Lead Developer and Automation Engineer, I applied an engineering mindset to the WordPress framework:

Custom Backend Architecture: Developed a specialized database structure using Advanced Custom Fields (ACF) and Custom Post Types to allow the client to update curricula and event dates without touching the core design.

Resend API Integration: Engineered a custom PHP bridge to replace standard WordPress mail logic with the Resend API, ensuring 100% deliverability for tour confirmations and parent notifications.

High-Performance UI: Built the frontend using Elementor Pro but optimized with custom CSS and asset-unloading scripts to minimize the DOM size and achieve "Green" Core Web Vitals scores.

Automation Workflows: Integrated Webhooks to sync form entries directly with Brightwheel and external CRMs, automating the data entry process for the admissions team.

Cloud Deployment: Orchestrated the site’s migration to WP Engine, implementing server-side caching and a global CDN to handle high traffic bursts during enrollment seasons.

The final solution delivered a 60% improvement in load times compared to the center's previous site. By automating the "Schedule a Tour" pipeline, we successfully increased tour bookings by 35% in the first quarter. The platform now serves as a robust, scalable digital asset that effectively communicates the center's mission while handling the heavy lifting of administrative logistics.