Shirley Phillips
Home Child Care Provider
January 10, 2018
In this era, it is difficult to find anyone who works in the same position for a long period of time. However, a person who finds a true labor of love could work in that field for a lifetime. That is exactly what Child Care Provider Shirley Phillips has done. After 57 years in child care, Shirley still talks about "her" kids with a level of passion and commitment that makes anyone listening understand why, for her, this is the best position in the world.
"I can’t imagine doing anything else. I have taken care of kids all my life and I’d rather do that than anything else out there.”
Through the years, Shirley’s family has become involved in the business. Her daughter, Susan, worked for the child care over 10 years. After retirement, her husband, Bill, has been the other half of the team for 26 years. Together, they have taught the children everything from their ABCs and 123s to nutrition, manners and respecting other's feelings. They take great pride in their child care and the preschool classes they have every day.
During her time as child care provider, Shirley has been fortunate to care for three generations of children from the same family. That speaks volumes about her love for the profession and the love her aging daycare children, now grandparents, have for her. Shirley proudly shared a story of calling a mom who she had cared for as a child and having the opportunity to tell that mom her baby’s first word.
Through her time as a provider, many things have changed; different regulations, family lifestyles, and more education requirements to name a few. Shirley says that a child care provider has more responsibilities today than ever before, but the kids stay the same. If a child care provider surrounds children with the educational tools they need and a loving, nurturing environment, the kids can have a successful start. For Shirley, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the kids learn and grow, knowing she has played a key role in
their lives.
From Cushing, Oklahoma, Shirley has been a CACFP participant through For the Children, Inc. since 2015.