By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
For 53 years, Lucy Boucher has opened her home to children in Hays, preparing them for the world while forming lasting ties with families.
"They're just so charming. Look at this little guy here. He doesn't want to leave my side. I've had him ever since he was an infant," Boucher said regarding one of her day care children who was present for the interview.
Boucher started her day care while raising her own children before gradually expanding to care for more, typically from infancy through school age.
"I started out with two and then from there I went up to 10 kids, counting my own kids," she said.
Over the years, she has cared for hundreds of children and built lasting relationships that led to invitations to graduations and weddings. Her own children grew up helping with the day care after school.
Boucher said she remains motivated because she enjoys making children smile and getting them ready for school, with no plans to step away from this role.
"I just take it one day at a time," she said.
Boucher said since she began, children’s behavior and parents’ involvement have changed, with parents becoming less engaged over time, likely because they are in a hurry, she said.
Boucher said children do not listen as well as they once did, but she still has fun with them, often caring for more of them during the summer.
"We play music all the time, I take them outside, and I teach them their letters, numbers and colors. All the stuff they need to know before they go to school," she said.
Boucher voiced concern that large day care centers are pushing out independent providers in the area. She advised those considering the line of work to stay committed, saying many quit too quickly due to the workload.
"They can't handle it. It's a lot because you have to prepare meals and other things every day. Some people don't like to do that," she said.
Boucher was nominated as the August Child Care Champion by Dana Stanton, child care program specialist with the Northwest Kansas Economic Incentive Center.