Caring for kids: All play, lots of work too
Rutland Herald: September 28,2015
Anthony Edwards / Rutland Herald Staff Photo
Sue Densmore, instructor of Stafford Technical Center’s Human Services Program, works with children enrolled in the program’s Childrens Center recently.
Over the next few weeks this column will feature some of the student-run businesses at Stafford Technical Center. First up: Stafford Children’s Center run by Human Services Instructor, Susan Densmore.
Densmore, who has taught at STC for 30 years, was the preschool teacher from March 1986 until June 2006. Here Densmore discusses the childcare center which has been running as a small business for four years.
What is nature of your business?
Our business is a full-time child-care center and preschool for children 3-5 years of age.
We have two full-time paid staff plus the Human Services students. Each day, one of the second-year students works in the preschool and is paid. They are classified as a trainee by state child-care licensing regulations. This means they can be counted in the adult-to-child ratio.
First-year students work as volunteer aides and cooks for the children’s center. Each student works two days a week in the center. The students help to plan the curriculum, write lesson plans, prepare and present lessons, supervise children and plan and prepare nutritious snacks and meals.
How did you get where you are today with the business (has it changed focus, grown, down-sized, etc.)?
We have always had a preschool at Stafford Technical Center that charges tuition. In the fall of 2012 we opened our small business as a full time child-care center with a preschool component.
With more households with two working parents it became difficult for parents to transport their children to a part-time preschool program. Parents were looking for preschool and child care together in one place. We prepared a business plan and decided we could offer the parents what they needed. We are licensed for 15 children ages 3-5.
As a student-run business, does it differ from how other businesses are run? What makes it unique? What is its most appealing aspect to customers?
As a student-run business we differ from child care in other centers because we have many more adults in the room than any center paying all their staff can have. This gives the children much more opportunity for one-to-one attention. I think that parents find the fact that the students are here to interact with their children most appealing.
Teacher: What is the most important thing you’ve learned as head of a student-run business?
The most important things I have learned as the head of a student-run business is flexibility and patience. I have to remember that they are students and things do not always go as planned. Preparing activities and cooking are new experiences for most of the students. They are all here because of a love for children and a wish to work with people so it is always a great experience for the children.
Student: What is the most important lesson you have learned in helping run this business?
Marissa & Danielle: I am able to take on the responsibilities an adult would have.
Mikaila & Nichole: That insuring the children’s safety is most important. You must also conduct yourself as a professional.
Contact information
We are open on the days when Rutland Public Schools is open including the five teacher-only days. We are open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. I can be contacted at 770-1040 or [email protected].
If you are a locally owned Rutland area small business or sole-proprietorship and would like to be featured in A Business Story, please contact [email protected].
Joanna Tebbs Young is a Writing Workshop Facilitator and “Re-INK Your Life!” Coach living in Rutland. Contact her at [email protected], wisdomwithinink.com, facebook.com/TheWritersRoomatAllenHouse or on Twitter at @jtebbsyoung.