For 25 years, I’ve woken up long before the sun and opened the doors to my family child care business by 5 a.m every day.
Before the last parent arrives for pickup around 11 p.m., I’ll have welcomed 14 young children into my home, sung dozens of songs, prepared scores of meals, and taught a curriculum that readies my little learners for the science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics education they’ll receive in K-12 schools.
At the end of this year, I’ll close those doors for the last time as I retire. After decades of back-breaking, heart-warming and emotionally exhausting work, I’m ready for a new chapter. And I’m proud that I’ve been a part of transforming the child care system so the next generation of child care providers will start in a much stronger position than I did.