By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Tori Ruder of Hays became a child care provider six years ago because she was struggling to find child care for her own children.
"Opening a day care allowed me to stay home with my kids while also caring for and loving other children," Tori said. "I wanted to create a safe and nurturing environment for kids to grow. I've always aspired to have a career working with children."
Tori was nominated by her husband and mother-in-law for the Child Care Champion award for August.
Her husband, Mason, said, "She works hard to provide for her kids and is a huge advocate for the [Child Care Task Force of Ellis County] and other providers."
Ruth Ruder, her mother-in-law, said, "Tori is dedicated and reliable. She is also a big part of the [Child Care Task Force of Ellis County]."
Tori said one of her favorite activities with the kids is taking holiday photos for their parents.
She said the children and parents have been very kind to her on some of her toughest days.
"A memorable moment for me was on a particularly tough day when the kids weren't listening, and everything seemed chaotic," Tori said. "One of the older kids had gone home but returned about 20 minutes later.
"I thought he had forgotten something, but he actually brought me a coffee to cheer me up, saying, 'I thought this would make you feel better since you were having a bad day.'"
She said she also had parents give her gift cards for coffee every other week or greet her in the morning with a coffee just because.
"These small gestures bring me joy and make me feel loved and valued," Tori said.
Tori doesn't follow a strict curriculum. Instead, she uses a "learn and play" approach, mixing some learning with lots of fun and playtime.
She said she loves interacting with the children.
"Hearing the kids' cheerful 'good mornings' every day is such a joy!" Tori said. "Witnessing their milestones and progress is incredibly rewarding. I love seeing the joy on a parent's face when I share that their child had a great day or achieved something we've been working on for a while."
Tori shared some of the challenges of being a child care provider.
Communication between a provider and parents can sometimes be challenging, she said.
"This can be due to various factors such as differing schedules, communication styles or even misunderstandings," she said. "Providers often have a busy day managing the children and their activities, which can make it difficult to find the right moment to connect with parents.
"On the other hand, parents might be juggling their own work and personal responsibilities, making it hard to engage in detailed conversations during drop-off or pick-up times."
Effective communication is crucial for building trust and ensuring the provider and parents are on the same page regarding the child’s development and well-being, she said.
It helps to establish clear channels of communication, whether through regular updates via email, a communication app or scheduled meetings, Tori said.
"Being proactive in sharing both the child's achievements and any concerns can foster a positive and collaborative relationship," she said. "Additionally, being open to feedback and showing empathy toward each other's challenges can go a long way in overcoming communication barriers."
Tori has been active in the Child Care Task Force of Ellis County.
"I joined to help the community understand the child care world from a provider's perspective," she said. "I wanted to give a voice to in-home providers and assist parents in finding the best child care fit for their needs.
"Additionally, I aimed to support those considering a career as a provider, helping them feel confident in their choice. I believe the task force is doing its best to include in-home providers and make them feel valued."
Tori highlighted some of the changes she has seen in the child care industry in her six years, including those surrounding supply and demand.
She said the number of child care providers has declined noticeably. Between 2019 and May 2021, Kansas lost 78 child care providers and 938 child care slots.
The Ellis County task force has sought to address those losses and open slots.
She said the demand for child care has continued to grow while the supply has struggled to keep up. Child Care Aware of Kansas has been actively working to address these shortages by providing technical assistance and support to communities.
Parents seeking care can access referrals for local providers through Child Care Aware of Kansas. See this link.
Tori said she thought community support for in-home providers has increased.
"Efforts have been made to include in-home providers in broader child care discussions and initiatives," she said.
Tori also offered advice to workers interested in entering the child care field.
"If you love children, this is a fantastic job," she said. "You get to be involved in a child's formative years and get to see really amazing growth and developing personalities.
"While there will be some tough days, the good ones far outweigh the bad. On a rough day, a simple hug and an 'I love you' from one of the kids can make all the challenges fade away, making it feel like the bad days never happened."
Submit your favorite child care provider for the Child Care Champion award here.
The next child care task force meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Hays Welcome Center. It is open to anyone interested in child care issues.