Sleepy Eye woman is named top child care provider

BY SARA SYVERSON

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Kim Krzmarzick, of Sleepy Eye, has been given the honor of being Brown County Childcare Provider of the Year 2000.

Family Child Care Provider Week will be celebrated in Brown County Oct. 8-14. Krzmarzick will be honored at the Child Care Professionals state conference to be held Oct. 14, 2000 in Willmar. Brown County Child Care Professionals will have its banquet on Oct. 28.

Krzmarzick has been doing daycare for the past 14 years. When she was pregnant with her second child, she decided she wanted to do this kind of work full-time and be able to stay home. Krzmarzick is married to Leon, and together they have four children: Lacey, Shawn, Kyle and Kaitlyn.

"It was a surprise because they pick one (provider) from all of the towns in the county," said Krzmarzick, "It was a great honor to be chosen this. I feel that every provider deserves this award, too. I thank my clients who nominated me and the Child Care Professionals who chose me and also for what they have done for me."

When Krzmarzick began as a child care professional, she took care of one family's children. She became licensed as she began taking care of other children.

"I really like it (day care)," said Krzmarzick. "My favorite part of being a provider is watching the kids grow and seeing all the things they do ... watching them learn things."

Krzmarzick takes care of children ages six weeks to school age kids up to 10 years old. Her hours of business are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m.

During the school year, Krzmarzick works on a curriculum with the children, where they learn their ABC's, colors, and numbers. Krzmarzick also works on arts and crafts that relate to the various seasons of the year and the holidays during the month with the children.

Twice a month, Krzmarzick takes her daycare children to the "Young at Heart" program at Divine Providence Home in Sleepy Eye.

"The kids get to interact with the 'grandfriends,'" said Krzmarzick. "The kids really enjoy going there."

During the summer months, Krzmarzick signs the kids up in summer recreation program in Sleepy Eye. She also enrolls them in the summer reading program at the public library.

"They also spend a lot of time at the swimming pool and the park which is nearby," said Krzmarzick.

There is also a K.I.D.S. group that meets once a month that Krzmarzick is involved in. She also serves as the secretary for the group. The K.I.D.S. group focuses on doing projects, planning training and discussing current events.

Krzmarzick said she found out she was Provider of the Year for Brown County in May.

"They called me and told me I would be Provider of the Year. I was shocked then," said Krzmarzick, "Getting this award I feel appreciated."

The Provider Appreciation Banquet is hosted by the Childcare Professionals of Brown County and will be held on Oct. 28 at the New Ulm Country Club. All childcare providers, spouses and daycare parents are welcome to attend the banquet. A social begins at 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. the meal will be served. The cost of the banquet is $15 per person and registrations must be in by Oct. 20, 2000. Please send registrations to Lynn Rowley, 501 S. Broadway, New Ulm. There will be special door prizes for all Brown County childcare providers in attendance at the banquet.