Children are our most precious gifts, and at Kids Cove Academy the kids are taken care of with the utmost kindness and compassion.
Kids Cove Academy daycare center was established in May 2017 when the building which housed the former Learn and Play Daycare in Chatfield, Minn., was purchased by Aubrey Reed, director, along with her husband, John, and John’s father, Phillip.
Reed is very excited about her new adventure and although she is taking it one step at a time, she has many goals for Kids Cove Academy.
Reed was born and raised in Winona, Minn., and graduated from Winona Senior High School. She grew up in a daycare setting and has maintained work in the field.
“I have been around children literally my whole life,” says Reed, as she explains, “My mom, Stacy Rossin, has done daycare in Winona for the past 29 years. Growing up, I always helped my mom out with her daycare,” and she saw the difference her mom made in the children’s lives.
“I have always looked up to my mom, so my dream was to grow up to be just like her; loving and passionate about such a heartwarming job,” states Reed.
With an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Development, Reed moved to Rochester, Minn., in 2012 and worked at a daycare center called University of the Child, where she was a toddler teacher.
“I absolutely fell in love with this job,” says Reed, but unfortunately the facility closed a year later. “I grew close to a lot of the families, so when the center closed, I ended up being a nanny for one of the families with a three- and- five-year-old,” and while being a nanny for that family, “I created and implemented my very own curriculum for these children,” notes Reed.
“Watching these children grow and learn after teaching them is one thing that made me fall in love with teaching,” she notes.
After her experience as a nanny, Reed thought about opening a daycare in her home, but before she made the commitment she decided to become a co-daycare provider with her mom first. She worked with her mom for two years before opening her own in-home daycare in August of 2016.
Her long-term goal was to someday own a daycare facility and, “Little did I know that eight months into my in home daycare that I would be already closing it to fulfill this lifetime dream of mine,” says Reed.
“My husband was always trying to help my dreams come true and was always looking at different building options around this area that could potentially be turned into a daycare center,” explains Reed.
“When we learned that Learn and Play was for sale, we jumped at this opportunity, because I may have never had the opportunity like this again, especially in the town that I am currently living in,” says Reed.
Reed’s first day of running the business was May 1, 2017, which was a very big day for her. “I was full of all kinds of emotions; nervous, scared, overwhelmed, happy, excited, etc.,” says Reed, but the butterflies in her stomach soon vanished.
“My first day went as good as any first day could have gone,” she says. “I didn’t know what to expect but I am extremely thankful to have amazing staff to be patient with me as I learn everything, and also amazing families that have stuck with me throughout this whole change process,” expresses Reed.
Reed has plans to remodel the building one room at a time, giving it a fresh look, and has had one room remodeled already. With 51 kids enrolled currently and a capacity of 71 children, Reed says, “We are hoping to grow and enroll more amazing children” into Kids Cove Academy.
“I also have lots of goals in mind for this program that I can’t wait to eventually share with everyone,” says Reed.
The Kids Cove Academy’s philosophy is as follows:
“We believe that good childcare depends upon consistent caregiving in a home-like atmosphere. Children grow and learn best in a safe environment that provides opportunities to explore, create and communicate with other children and adults. These groups function independently but cooperatively, following routines appropriate to individual needs. The program is designed to be inclusive of all children, including those with identified disabilities and special learning and developmental needs.
“The center’s program is designed to include both planned and spontaneous activities in response to children’s interests. Experiences with music, movement, art, language, and building are incorporated into daily plans. Regularly scheduled snacks and meals, rest time, indoor and outdoor play and routines in physical caregiving promotes the child’s health, comfort, and ability to care for his/herself. There is maximum flexibility for the children as a group and as individuals.
“Children are encouraged to develop positive self-image, to learn inner controls and to cooperate with peers and caregivers. Clearly defined limits help them recognize and accept their emotions and express their feelings as they grow and feel secure in the world around them.”
Reed has spent her life taking care of children and plans to continue for as long as she is able. “My first job was with children which was babysitting, and I am hoping my last will be too,” she says.
Kids Cove Academy is located at 236 Mill Creek Rd NW in Chatfield. For more information phone (507) 867-0070 or visit the facebook page at facebook.com/Kids-Cove-Academy.
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