By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
Growing up in Hays, Jennifer Goetz has spent the past 23 years providing child care, primarily to the community’s youngest children.
"I started working as a case manager for High Plains Mental Health Center for a little over a year before getting pregnant with my first child," Goetz said. "When I was on maternity leave, I didn't want to go back to work. I wanted to be able to stay home with my children."
Since then, Goetz has cared for five to six full-time children at a time, typically up to school age, while forming close bonds with their families. She often attends special moments outside of child care, such as weddings and birthday parties.
"I've gone to several of their baseball games this summer because they're always asking, 'Are you going to come to my game tonight?'" she said. "They've invited me on some family vacations without the parents knowing."
Goetz emphasized the value of home child care as an extension of the family and said strong communication with parents is key. She said the joy of her work continues well beyond her regular work hours.
Goetz said the child care industry has evolved since she began, with stricter state regulations and challenges in taking time off. While she receives some grant support, she often covers the cost of food and supplies out of pocket.
"Sometimes I have a group that loves to color and paint. Other times I have groups that are into playing with dinosaurs, cars or really into superhero dress up," she said.
Goetz said her child care group are frequent visitors to a nearby park, giving the children plenty of time to develop their gross motor skills.
Goetz’s two daughters grew up helping with the child care and remain close to the children, making goodbyes emotional for the entire family when the kids finally head off to school.
"Watching them grow and develop, knowing that you have a big part in that is really rewarding," Goetz said.
Goetz said she plans to continue providing child care as long as she is able and as long as there is still a need. Her advice for those entering the field: “Expect the unexpected.”
"I like to say every day is kind of the same but very different. You're working with children, so you don't know what you're going to get day to day," she said.
Emily Ostmeyer, Goetz’s oldest daughter who recently married, nominated her as the July Child Care Champion and highlighted her mother’s dedication.
"I could not praise her more for the care that she provides and the way that she loves those kids like they're her own," Ostmeyer said.