Caledonia Argus

Wilhelm named Daycare Provider of the Year

Posted: 10/14/03

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Writer

For Marie Wilhelm of rural Caledonia, fall signifies the season of runny noses and red cheeks.

Wilhelm was recently named Day Care Provider of the Year by the Houston County Day Care Association.

With her at all times, she carries a box of tissues for keeping little noses clean. After 18 years of providing day care for Houston County parents, she has a system.

ìI always take the box with us. The dirty ones go in my pocket.î

Itís obvious her children like they way she does things too.

ìWe like to eat treats,í said three-and-a-half-year-old Amber Conniff.

Wilhelm explained that Amber is talking about the rice krispy treats she makes. Itís also very important to take note of the ìhalfî in the kidsí ages, said Wilhelm

Conniff and older sibling Kaitlin and younger brother, Tanner, are together at Wilhelmís daycare.

Wilhelm is licensed for eight children which is enough to keep her on her toes.

It started with staying home

Wilhelm was staying at home with her three daughters, Shannon, Cassie and Stacy, when she began watching other children. At first, it was her nephew who liked coming over because he wanted to play with kids his age. Then, it was watching the neighborís children after school. Thatís when she decided to become a licensed daycare provider. She said, ìI might as well get licensed if Iím going to do this.î

She remembers there was a lot of hoops to jump through to get licensed. ìIt takes awhile to get everything inspected. We had to do sheet rocking, and install shatter proof glass in the window of the door.î

Being a daycare provider became another source of income while her husband, Eugene, operated his own livestock hauling business.

Her daycareís outdoor facility has changed from when she first began with a metal swing set and sandbox. Now, surrounding it, is a wood play set with a teeter totter, glider, monkey bars and infant and toddler swing. Much to the delight of her little patrons, this addition was funded two years ago with grant money from Childrenís Resource and Referral of Rochester.

ìThey were very excited,î said Wilhelm of the childrenís reaction to the new play set.

The kids love to be outside, she said. During the summer, the shade of mature pine trees and the breeze from living on the ridge keep the children cool while they play.

After breakfast is Wilhelmís favorite time of day with the children. Itís a time when the children watch Sesame Street, play counting games or work with blocks.

ìThe kids are well rested and fun. They talk about preschool and tell what they did with their parents the night before,î explained Wilhelm.

She also enjoys rocking one-year-old Tanner during this time.

When the children are napping in the afternoon, Wilhelm finds herself cleaning or reading. A secret to quiet cleaning, she said, is using a carpet sweeper.

Wilhelm honored by Recognition

Being chosen Day Care Provider of the year is an honor, said Wilhelm. ìItís really nice when your peers think that much of you to chose you,î she said.

Beth Klinski, president of the Houston County Day Care Association thinks Wilhelm is a wonderful person. ìSheís always there to pitch in when you need her. She makes rugs and donates them. Sheís great with kids. Sheís a very caring person,î said Klinski.

Wilhelm points to having a love for children as key to being a successful day care provider.

ìDonít go into it unless you actually like children. If youíre not sure about it, donít do it.î

Wilhelm likes seeing the quirks and mannerisms that younger siblings have picked up from the older siblings.

Another key is patience.

ìSometimes kids whine all at once,î she explained. Often sheíll find herself breaking up a war over a toy, only to have both children walk away from it.

Wilhelm also takes time off for herself. ìI hardly every did. You realize you burn out if you donít,î she said.

Long hours and juggling part-time schedules are some of the challenges of being a daycare provider. She has part-time and full-time children with the first child coming at 5:15 a.m., and the last one leaving twelve hours later.

Rewards are worth the challenge

The rewards, however, are worth considering. Wilhelm has thought of switching jobs, but isnít sure how well sheíd do taking orders.

Also, it isnít every job that she gets to watch Sesame Street during the day and be a part of helping two-year-old Emily Loging adjust from heart surgery. Loging spent several days in the hospital to close a hole in her heart.

Watching little personalities learn and grow is fun too. Each child is different. ìMaria Miller, two-and-a-half-years-old, likes to pretend sheís cooking,î said Wilhelm.

Another favorite part is witnessing the children mature into responsible, caring people.

ìItís so much fun watching how the kids have grown up and become their own person, and what good kids they are. That makes you feel good, that you had just a little bit to do with that,î she smiled.

Top of Page