By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Three little girls circled Kelly Groff on Wednesday, eagerly coloring Thanksgiving turkeys.
She spoke to them calmly with love and patience as they asked questions and showed off their multi-color squiggles.
For 24 years, Groff has cared for children in Hays. She has started caring for her three daughters, and now her in-home child care includes two of her grandchildren.
Groff, 43, of Hays was nominated as the November Child Care Champion by Michelle Wiesner.
"She has been a loving and caring provider for over 20 years," Wiesner said. "She loves every child she has cared for, loves finding new crafts and creating new experiences for the kids. She loves what she does."
Kari Groff also nominated Kelly, saying, "She takes the extra step to make the kiddos feel at home."
Kelly Groff said, "I just love being with all of the kids. I don't know anything else, really. I love being with them. They love being with me."
Groff loves holidays and engages the children in craft activities that focus on giving back to the community.
The children and their families will give to the Toys for Tots program. The children also help Groff make cookies during the holidays. The plate of cookies is gifted to a family, who is encouraged also to make cookies and pass them on to someone else.
"We always say it's not what's under the tree, but who's around the tree," Groff said.
Groff said the children and families look forward to all of their giving experiences.
She talks with the children about what they are thankful for every morning through November.
"My philosophy is to be kind and humble," she said.
The Groffs love Halloween, and not only do the children who are currently in her child care come trick or treating, but so do children who she has cared for in the past.
On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the family's 13-foot skeleton still loomed in the yard across from blow-up Christmas decorations already greeting the kids for the next holiday.
Groff said she stays close to many of the children in her child care in the past, some of whom are now teenagers or even in college.
"It's so great to see how well they are doing in life," she said.
When the weather is nicer, Groff likes to take the children for walks and allows them to play outside.
"Every child needs to be outside," she said. "That is what I preach the most is every child needs fresh air. Every child needs to burn energy."
Groff said one of the most challenging aspects of her job is raising the children from babies and then letting them go when they start school.
"You raise them for four years, and then they're gone," she said.
She said she has also seen challenges in the increasing number of regulations in-home child care providers face and decreasing demand for in-home child care as more child care centers open in the area.
Groff said patience is the key for anyone wanting to enter the child care profession. She said each child is different, and you never know what you're going to get.
"For me, it just comes naturally," she said. " I have always loved kids. I have always loved being around kids. I've always loved doing activities with kids. You have to have the knack for it, I guess.
"It definitely takes time and patience, and it's a learning experience."
Nominate your favorite child care provider for the monthly Child Care Champion award HERE.