My kids have a wonderful daycare/preschool. They’ve gone to the same place since they were six weeks old. I was nervous at first. The building could have used some sprucing up when we first sent them. It was clean but needed new carpet. I didn’t know any of teachers, and as a first-time mom, I was terrified to leave my baby with strangers.

I visited the daycare before my daughter was born. Armed with a list of 30 or so questions, I toured the facility. I peered into the rooms, scanning to see any trace of malfeasance. Spoiler alert, I didn’t find anything wrong. The teachers seemed nice. The kids seemed happy. And frankly, in my community, there weren’t a whole lot of choices, so we decided to give it a shot.

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I couldn’t be more grateful I made that decision. The strangers with whom I left my baby that first day quickly became part of my village, and I am so grateful for each of them. 

The teachers not only watched my kids—they loved them.

They learned their quirks and laughed with them. When my kids were sad, they were wrapped in comforting hugs. I never questioned that my kids were being well taken care of. The teachers would engage with me outside of the preschool to tell me funny stories about my kids. Every staff member knew their names and their interests. They knew when they were going to meltdown and when they were sad.

They know my kids because they love my kids. 

Both of my kids love them, too. When my son moved into the preschool classroom, he left a teacher he had had for several years in his old room. Each day, we would walk past her classroom, and he would stop to hug her. She retired, and for a solid month, my 3-year-old asked about her every day as we passed her classroom.

These people who used to be strangers are so very important to my family.

They have strongly impacted my life and the lives of my children. I couldn’t work full time and have a family without them. My family is so grateful for these wonderful people who go out of their way every day to make sure my kids feel loved when I can’t be there to love them. 

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Having a daycare filled with people who love my kids makes leaving them so much easier. These teachers go above and beyond. I am so blessed to have them as part of my village. I am so grateful they love my babies.