Never a dull moment for woman who surpasses 30 years in daycare
COLERIDGE — Changing diapers, picking up toys, dealing with tantrums, sticky hands and spilled drinks - that’s the type of job that doesn’t appeal to everyone.
But instead of focusing on the mess, Carol Benson focuses on how she’s blessed.
The Coleridge woman has spent the past 30 years laughing, learning, growing and making memories with the children in her care at Carol’s Child Care.
“You wear many roles as a provider and I have to say meal time and bookkeeping are my least favorite,” she said. “I like organizing so picking up toys has never been a big deal. And boy have I picked up a lot of toys.”
In three decades in business, Benson has taken care of 288 children.
“Families take a spot and they don’t leave until the last child has outgrown me,” she said. “Each child has a special place in my heart.”
As she looks at the list of each name, she can come up with a special memory for each one.
And each one likely has a memory from their time at Carol’s.
Kelsey Fincher recalls as a child in Benson’s care that she always had a smile on her face and was always patient.
“I remember the clean up song that we sang and I think that I could still sing it,” she said. “I also remember loving to play on her swings and play tower that she had outside.”
Benson said it’s fun when those who were once in her care grow up and come over to visit and remember particular toys they used to play with.
“It makes me feel old and proud at the same time,” Benson said.
Benson said she incorporates free play into much of the daily routine.
“Free time is very important for children to learn about the world around them,” she said. “With the ages I have, this is key. Along with free time, they learn how to communicate with friends, learn how to talk and express feelings. Free play teaches math, science and how to be creative. Outdoor is a must and I am very thankful for my garage and outdoor park, as the kids call it.”
She’s been in business so long she’s starting to take care of her daycare children’s children.
“Several children that I have cared for are currently expecting, too,” she said. “That warms my heart.” She’s taken care of her own children,
She’s taken care of her own children, the children of family and friends, and of course, all of the new families that come her way.
“So many connections have been formed in my childcare family, that I am just proud of,” Benson said.
After graduating from high school, she earned a diploma in early childcare from Southeast Community College in Lincoln.
“I was not sure of my path out of high school but wanted to be able to learn something that I could use wherever life took me,” Benson said. “I felt I could put this to use with my own family some day.”
With the encouragement of her parents, Wayne and Norma Jean Vogle, and others, Benson opened her own child care business in her Laurel home Dec. 16, 1991.
She married Rod, and moved the childcare business to Coleridge in 1995 and the business name changed in 1998. The daycare changed locations again in 2010 when the Bensons moved temporarily during the construction of their current home which they moved into in 2011.
She chose to go back to school and earn her associate’s degree in 2010.
Children come from all over the area to Carol’s Child Care - from Hartington, Randolph, Belden, Laurel and even Waterbury.
She remembers those early years without a computer, printer or cordless telephone to make life easier. Technology, Benson said, has been a game changer.
“It’s night and day difference,” she said, adding that she is able to keep in touch with families more often throughout the day by sending questions, notes or pictures via cellphone.
When she first started, childcare options in the area were limited and licensed operators were slim to none.
“Mostly it was just moms and families helping each other out,” Benson said. “So you may say I started out in the era where licensed providers were emerging.”
Even now, more licensed providers are needed, she said, and there is a lot more support for those entering the field.
“Caring individuals want to see anyone with the desire to care for a child, succeed,” Benson said.
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