CALLAWAY- The community of Callaway is growing, one building block at a time. Sunday marked the second ribbon cutting for a childcare location in just 19 days for the town.
On August 9, the Callaway Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house for Precious Angels Daycare. Their Callaway location operates in the same location where Homegrown Kids used to be, adding to their Broken Bow location which has been in operation for over two decades now.
A large group of people also gathered on Sunday on Morse Street to celebrate a ribbon cutting for 7 Valley Kids, a nonprofit family daycare.
The founders of 7 Valley Kids are Kendra Meyer, Chelsea Williams, Christie Pitkin, and Julliana Jenkins. Haylea Rynerson will oversee the snacks, naps, and learning as Director receiving part time help from Meghan G’Schwind and Katie Mason.
Christie Pitkin gave repeated thanks to the Callaway United Methodist Church and said that the idea of the daycare would not have been possible without their help. The new home for 7 Valley Kids used to be where the church’s pastor would live, but future plans didn’t appear to see the home as needed as a parsonage.
“Our church was very receptive. They will pay our utilities for the first year and are letting us use the parsonage rent free for the first year. We asked the church if they would consider doing a daycare in here and they voted to do that,” said Pitkin.
A tour of the home starts right at the front door with a wall-mounted iPad that provides check in and check out ease and security. To the left and right are two different playrooms. The back hallway houses a changing room, a bathroom, and nap rooms for infants as well as the older children complete with wall mounted cameras to ensure much needed rest is happening. A large kitchen and a single toilet just inside the back door from the playground equipment almost give the feeling that the home was built exactly for this purpose.
“The layout of the house couldn’t be better, because where the living room and dining room are open with the kitchen and then the sleeping rooms are off to the side. Yes, it is a pretty perfect setup for it,” Pitkin said.
7 Valley Kids had their first day of operation on August 14th. The “Family Daycare Home II” designated location is open Monday to Friday 7:30 to 5:30 and can have 12 kids on site at a time.
Ken Pitkin expressed the excitement the Chamber has for the growth.
“For communities to grow, they need to be able to provide care for their children and quality daycare. To have ribbon cuttings on two fully licensed quality daycares in the last two weeks, we’re really lucky and blessed and we just want to welcome 7 Valley Kids to the community. We’re very glad they’re here and we wish them great success.”
