Faulkton Daycare Providers Go Above and Beyond to Nurture Our Littles

Every parent or caregiver has been there; trying to find a daycare provider who is going to nurture, guide and look after your child with as much intention as you do. 
Which can be a challenge to say the least! Especially for those who don’t have extended family nearby to help.

In Faulkton, we are blessed to have numerous daycare options run by individuals who are passionate about what they do. And sure, not every day is perfect, but the rewards always far outweigh the challenges.

Far beyond providing excellent care for the next generation, Faulkton’s daycare centers also serve as an important backbone to our community, creating a support system for our working families and a solid foundation for early childhood development.

Faulkton Area Economic Development Corporation would like to thank all of our past and present daycare providers for high-quality childcare providers that make our amazing community even more attractive to young families who are looking for a wonderful place to live.

If you’re an existing business owner or have always dreamed of being one, contact us today to learn more about the various loans, grants, and special financing programs that can help grow and expand your business in Faulkton. Consultations are free and confidential. 

Angels Among Us Daycare: I Love Watching Them Grow Into Productive Adults

“I love to be part of children’s lives; from sewing a hole in a sock to washing their clothes, or making lunches and snacks with them,” said Jackie Geiger, owner of Angels Among Us Daycare, which has grown consistently since she opened her doors in September of 1988.

She provides for newborns to 9 years of age and on any given day, you can find a dozen kids in her care, many of which are somewhat of a repeat customer. “I am on my fifth, second generation of families.”

From hugs to helping them do their hair, Geiger also takes great pride in watching them develop.

“I love watching them grow into productive adults working in the community, raising their own families,” she said.

For her, the most rewarding part of the job is that it really doesn’t feel like one although the days are long. “My hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or later if needed. This makes it difficult to get to the grocery store, bank, or hardware, but my daycare parents will always help me get what I need or need to get done,” she said.

The kids spend their time doing homework, art work, cooking classes, and free play, as well as outdoor activities and field trips to places like the Sioux Falls Zoo, Washington Pavilion, SDSU Children’s Museum, and the local Hutterite colonies. Finding fun and exciting ways to educate the kids always plays a part. In the summer, they raise Monarch Butterflies.

“We also like to do what I call ‘Good Deeds’ but I have taught them we don’t always have to do it to be recognized. Private and quiet are just fine.”

Geiger also works hard to instill in the kids a sense of appreciation and reverence for those older and wiser and get a kick out of doing special things for senior citizens. “They started our community and we wouldn’t be where we are without them,” she says. “If it weren’t for Joyce Nilles I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

For Geiger, gratitude is more than just an act; it’s a way of life. “I appreciate everything that we have in this community,” she said. “We work together and take pride in our work!”

Details:
Angels Among Us Daycare: 605-598-6735

Cradles to Crayons: Always a Hug and a Kiss On My Cheek

When Leasa Ortmeier moved to Faulkton in 1991, she knew she wanted to open a daycare until all three of her boys were in school.

“Well, 34 years later my boys are off on their own, I now have grandkids going to school and I'm caring for some of my daycare graduates' kids,” she said. As the youngest of nine children, her love for kids developed as she babysat for nieces, nephews, and the neighbor’s kids.

Cradles to Crayons has a current roster of 12 kiddos. She takes infants to school age or higher if they want to come. The days are filled with indoor/outdoor play, crafts, preschool work, reading books and lots of music and dancing.

With daycare comes its challenges. There are fights, fits and tears, but for Ortmeier, the best way to handle those moments is to talk through them.

“I always get down on the little one's level and ask what is making them mad or why they are crying. Then we talk about who's feelings have gotten hurt and if we, or they, were being a good friend. In today's world, bullying is such an issue and I believe kids need to learn that at a young age,” she said.

Running a daycare in your home also has its challenges.

“There is a lot of wear and tear on your house and furniture having 12 kids and a whole lot of toys!” she said. “And as I get older, my body feels all the lifts in and out of playpens, highchairs, outdoor swings and slides.”

And when those aches and pains come, it’s a simple joy that keeps her going.

“The most rewarding part of running a daycare is definitely the families who put their trust in me to care for the most important people in their lives,” she said. “It is also the love the kids show when the kids leave to go home; always a hug and a kiss on my cheek and a ‘Wuv you, Weasa.’" 

Details:
Cradles to Crayons: 605-380-5065

Judy’s Jungle Daycare: Assuring Kids Are Cared For

Operating a daycare facility in Faulkton is far more than just a job for Judy Grabinski.

“We have a thriving community and families need to be assured that the kids are cared for,” she said.

Which is of great importance to a rural area like Faulkton. By providing high-quality care, she and our other daycare providers are supporting the social, emotional and early cognitive skills of Faulkton’s next generation.

Studies have shown that early care and education is key to improving a child’s well-being throughout adulthood and also improving their economic outcomes.

It also positions Faulkton as an extremely attractive option for parents and caregivers who are looking for a slower pace and better quality of life but rely heavily on reliable, trustworthy care for their kids.

Grabinski cares for infants through six years of age and currently has 12 children in her care.

When she opened her facility in 2015, she was looking for something different and seized the opportunity to begin a daycare center, having worked in the industry prior to moving to Faulkton.

“The most rewarding part is watching the kids grow into their personalities.” she said.

Details:
Judy’s Jungle Daycare: 605-460-1523