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October 10, 1999
Schmidt honored by Child Care ProvidersNamed Brown County Child Care Provider of the Year during Week of the Young ChildBy SARA SYVERSON Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- When you give people your heart in the work you do, it goes a long way. This was the case for Nancy Schmidt who runs Little Hearts Daycare in New Ulm. Schmidt has been chosen as the Brown County Child Care Provider of Year. Schmidt has been a Child Care Provider for 23 years and she was nominated by several of her children's parents who felt she deserved the honor. This week of Oct. 3-9, has been proclaimed the 12th Annual "Family Child Care Provider Week." Schmidt will be honored with other providers at the Minnesota Licensed Family Child Care Association State Provider banquet on Oct. 9 at the Radisson Convention Center, in Plymouth. Schmidt will be also be honored locally at the Child Care Professionals of Brown County Providers annual banquet at 6:30 p.m. (social hour) 7 p.m. (dinner) on Oct. 22, at Christine's on the Corner, in New Ulm. "It's such an important honor for me," said Schmidt, "When I received the call, and was told that I was chosen to be the Provider of the Year for Brown County, tears came to my eyes, because it was so overwhelming... in my heart one feels that this recognition should be given to all the providers in Brown County." There are now approximately 129 licensed child care providers in Brown County who give care to over 1,500 children everyday. The Brown County Child Care Provider of the Year must demonstrate excellence in professional child care by meeting the criteria established by the Minnesota Licensed Family Child Care Association, Inc. at the state level. This criteria includes the provider's training hours, community involvement, and also their one year membership and participation in various support groups and children's groups. Schmidt is a member of the Child Care Professionals of Brown County and also of the Minnesota Licensed Family Child Care Association (MLFCCA). A panel of people from Hanska, Sleepy Eye, and New Ulm joined to choose one of the providers from the seven providers who were nominated for the honor. "I've been in this business so long and it becomes a part of your life," said Schmidt, "Child care is not just a babysitting job. You try to give them all the love you can. You're a teacher, a nurse, and a parent when their parents are gone." One parent and businesswoman thanked Schmidt for taking care of "our most important asset." Another one of the parents who nominated Schmidt for the award told her "since we're phasing out your child care, we wanted to do one last nice thing for you." Not only are the parents grateful for the child care they have received from Schmidt, but the children themselves remember her care and are also thankful to her. "Last year, Nicole, who has been a part of my Child Care for 13 years wrote a very touching letter while she was taking a Child Development class in junior high," said Schmidt, "Nicole explained and thanked me for the impact I've had on her life while she was growing up." Schmidt has what she calls "pre-school" time to prepare children for kindergarten and after the children begin school she helps her children with their school work. She also stresses the importance of community involvement to the children by helping them sell items for 4-H or Girl Scouts. Schmidt makes the effort to attend some of the children's extra-curricular activities such as T-ball and softball games and also swimming lessons. Schmidt usually puts in a nine and a half to 10 hour workday during the week and there are special occasions, such as the annual Christmas party and an occasional sleep over that Schmidt makes special time to do for the children. "I've enjoyed child care through the years," said Schmidt, "It's just like any other job. You have your good days and your stressful days." The providers, the county commissioners and the parents of the children who receive child care are invited to attend the local banquet at Christine's On the Corner. The providers are also invited to attend the state banquet and any associations or support groups of child care can send providers up to the state convention. The Child Care Professionals of Brown County will cover the cost for Schmidt to attend the conference, banquet and also the cost for a guest to go with her. "I would like to thank the Child Care Professionals of Brown County for allowing a provider from Brown County the opportunity to attend the state banquet and also the parents at the daycare for giving me this honor," said Schmidt, "I would also like to thank my husband Marlin, and my daughters Jodi and Becky for all their love and support throughout these years." For more information on these upcoming events contact the President of the Child Care Professionals of Brown County, Lynn Rowley at (507)354-3955 or Nancy Schmidt at (507)354-6847.
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