HUMBOLDT — Murals of butterflies and flowers line the bright hallway at Growing Place Child Care Center in Humboldt. On Wednesday afternoon it was fairly quiet and peaceful. Nap time for the youngsters.
Despite the snow and school cancellations this week, Growing Place stayed open for the children.
“Our biggest concern is having the kids come in safely,” said Tina Cady-Friend, director of Growing Place. “The hardest part is being able to staff accordingly. We don’t want to chance the staff coming in if we don’t have the numbers.”
On a daily basis Growing Place, a not-for-profit, state-licensed childcare center and preschool, has anywhere from 55 to 60 children. On snow days the numbers are hit-or-miss.
“During days like this we have lower numbers because the kids stay home with parents or family,” she said.
Keeping the kids warm in this below-freezing weather is a priority. Wednesday the playground was covered in a pristine blanket of snow. To play outside, the weather has to be above freezing.
“The wind chill restricts us in the cold weather,” Cady-Friend said. “They are allowed to play outside if they have appropriate clothing.”
That doesn’t stop the kids from finding creative ways to stay active and entertained. In a brightly painted room, school age girls danced to music with a staff member. The girls laughed as they danced and bounced around to the choregraphed moves.
The change in temperature has affected the children and staff. In the last few weeks the center has been hit hard with colds and influenza. Influenza spreads quickly through child care centers and schools so handwashing and sanitizing is a ritual.
“Everything is sanitized a lot because the kiddos share everything,” Cady-Friend said. “We like for them to share but this is one thing we wished they wouldn’t.”
GROWING PLACE was begun in 2006 for area children with the help of B&W Trailer Hitches. Cady-Friend started there as a preschool teacher and director. Now she serves as full-time director.
Children from Iola, Humboldt, Chanute, Yates Center and even Parsons attend the center. Cady-Friend said she helps with staffing, classrooms, curriculums, lesson plans, childhood activities and safety regulations. There are usually about 22 staff members at the center, seven of which are part-timers.
“We have a really good staff,” Cady-Friend said. “Many of them are taking classes through Allen Community College for early childhood development.”
The center has a waiting list.
