Locally Owned Community-Centered Care
Meet The Expert Owner With A Passion For Early Education
Working with children since the age of 14, Albany-native and owner Demetris E. Fullard has always known that nurturing young minds is her purpose. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from SUNY New Paltz and completed a Master’s degree in Special Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Development at The College of Saint Rose. Her academic training, combined with years of hands-on experience, shaped her philosophy of creating inclusive, developmentally appropriate learning environments that center both children and families.
An Albany Native Committed To Her Community
Early in her teaching career, Demetris decided to stay home with her son because of the high cost of child care. With encouragement from families who reached out for support, she was soon caring for twelve children in her home. That organic beginning became the foundation for Infinite Care, which she began in 2005 and expanded to two locations to support the community that shaped her.
A New Academy, The Same Vision Of Support
Ella Rai Academy is a childhood and youth development center designed to serve families across Albany. The name reflects Demetris’ personal journey and purpose. Ella is her middle name, and Rai is the nickname of her son — the inspiration behind her work in child care. Ella Rai Academy represents the next chapter of her mission to provide nurturing, high-quality care while creating opportunities for Albany’s children from infancy through adolescence.
Expanding Impact & Providing Opportunities
Beyond early childhood education, Demetris has expanded her impact by collaborating with the Summer Youth Employment Program, extending mentorship and workforce development opportunities to teenagers up to age eighteen. She strongly supports young people at every stage of development, from infants taking their first steps to teens preparing for adulthood.
Core Values
To provide high-quality, culturally responsive care and education that nurture the whole child, empower families, and ensure educators are valued as leaders and lifelong learners.
We lead with an unwavering commitment to building safe spaces for families, empowering child care professionals, and creating programs that reflect the strength, culture, and resilience of Albany’s families.
Our Core Values
A Blend Of Proven Curricula Prepare Your Child For School
We use a carefully chosen selection of fun and inspiring activities from Frog Street and The Creative Curriculum, balanced with active play, social-emotional development, and independent exploration to ensure your child starts kindergarten with confidence.
A Communicative Community Committed To Your Child’s Growth
Consistent communication between home and school strengthens learning, behavior, and emotional well-being. We collaborate with you on our programming, invite you to events and conferences, and provide resources and daily updates in our app so you’re involved every step of the way.
