By Theresia W. Kituku - Special to the Idaho Statesman; Edition Date: 09/25/08; Starting any business presents challenges. Add an emotional element and the challenges can be not only exciting but overwhelming. When the opportunity to own and operate a child-care center presented itself after Easter Seals announced that it was closing The Growing Place, I accepted the challenge, unaware of just how difficult it might be.

For more than 20 years, I had been involved with children both as a teacher and early childhood development specialist in Kenya, Wyoming and Idaho. I worked with parents, learning what matters to them in their child's learning and development, and interacted with hundreds of children. My dream was always to own and operate an early care and education center for children ages 1-6.

I wanted a center with caring adults who believe each child is special; a secure growing environment with activities that help a child develop skills and learn the life lessons they will need in the future; caring teachers with experience in helping children to explore, learn and have fun; and enrichment programs that entertain children as they learn about their world.

I had to provide parents with information on my new vision of the center as the best in our area. I had to assure them that their children would continue learning and growing without disturbance. I needed to assure them they could avoid the confusion, expense and emotional turmoil of searching for a new child care center.

When change is imminent, employees need to know what will happen to them, what is wrong with things as they are and who decides on the change. Providing information, having open communication and stipulating the benefits of the change for teachers helped me keep and add not only qualified lead teachers and assistants but also adults who care about children.

My family helped me choose the new name for the center: Born to Succeed Early Care & Education Center, Inc. Assuring that all the painstaking tedious legal and regulatory requirements (federal, state and city) were met required the help of a CPA and an attorney.

We put together outstanding enhancement programs starting with inviting Patricia Kempthorne, Idaho's former first lady, to read for the children. Joy Steiner shared wonderful children stories. We enjoyed visits from Corbin Maxey, the reptile guy; Kipp Sherry, the magic guy; and Steve Watts, an African drummer. We purchased two buses to take children on field trips and to offer opportunities for children to take swim lessons. We added "oogles.n.googles" and Musical Kids as part of our curriculum and are looking at adding a couple of foreign languages as well.

Planning and open communication with parents and teachers were the key reasons why families decided to have their children remain in our new center and why staff members continued doing what they do so well .

Theresia W. Kituku is owner/director of Born to Succeed Early Care & Education Center Inc., 658-5561 or borntosucceed@qwestoffice.net.

Starting Up is a series published on Thursdays. The columns grew from discussions between the Statesman and local tech and entrepreneurial leaders and are coordinated by Julie Howard, a specialist for the Idaho Office of Science and Technology. Reach her at julie.howard@commerce.idaho.gov.

Article written by By Theresia W. Kituku - Special to the Idaho Statesman

Edition Date: 09/25/08