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Retiring Childcare Provider Gail Johnson sits with her current kiddos, Cayden Homan, Colin Reith, Daisy VanDyke, Porter VanDyke, Johnson, Aiden Ebbers, Charli VanDyke, Kennedy Homan
“I get to see each and every personality from these kids and it has brought me so much joy.” said Johnson. “Watching them growis the biggest joy of my life.”
Gail Johnson has always loved working with kids so when the opportunity to open a home-based day care presented itself, it only made sense, and she has loved every second of it.
“I have to thank all of my wonderful parents for really trusting me with their children. I can say that I helped them grow and learn. I get to see each and every personality from these kids and it has brought me so much joy. I especially enjoy seeing them come back as adults,” said Johnson, a native of Slayton. “Watching them grow is my biggest joy of my life.”
Johnson married Cal in 1976, ing for Dr. Behrends, a local dentist. When he retired, a new dentist bought the practice but ultimately closed the Slayton office to focus on the Worthington location. Johnson was offered a position in the Worthington dental office but didn’t want to commute as the couple’s two daughters, Angie and Kristin, were in school and son, Derik, was in need of day care.“ “In October 1995, I started the day care,” said Johnson. “In June of 1996, we moved to our current in-home location on Pine. In my opinion, it is the perfect day care home. It had a basement with a place for toys, a bedroom and a bathroom.”
An ideal set up is just one thing Johnson notes as a must when starting a day care. She also thinks that it’s important to have an understanding of technology since licensure and food program paperwork is done via the internet now.
“You have to have a lot of stuff for a day care and it can be kind of scary when you learn about some of the trainings, but once you get into it and have it set up, it’s worth it,” said Johnson. “There’s a need for day care, so if anyone is interested, come and talk to me.”
During her career as a day care provider, Johnson has cared for 106 young people and has witnessed various shifts in society’s beliefs in child behavior and expectations.
“Society is changing and so are the expectations for our children,” said Johnson. “There are so many activities and parents want them in all these different things.”
Over the years, Johnson has learned to be flexible and go with the flow.“There is a place for everything and everything in its place,” said Johnson. “After a while, you learn that it will get in its place and things will work out.”
Johnson’s last day of day care will be Friday, September 5. In addition to spending more time with Cal, their three adult children and their spouses, eight grandchildren and one great grandchild, Johnson plans to serve as a part-time paraprofessional at MCC. “I’m hoping to see all my littles yet,” said Johnson.
