I think its great your program is honoring caretakers....my question is does this also include Kinship caregivers? Relatives who are raising relatives? In washington state alone, there are 35,000 people taking the role as parents and as a tribute to them here in our local area- we have a kinship collaboration that is teaming up to Salute the dedication to those who truly deserve to be recognized & honored. We will be having a nice meal, mini workshops, guest speakers, entertainment & door prizes.

Dear KCTS,

I'd like to share why I think Tammie Boyd of "Mudpies and Butterflies Daycare" in Snohomish, Washington should be the KCTS9 caregiver of the year.

From the day we met Tammie we knew she would be very important in our lives. Our previous daycare had to close with short notice, so I had to scramble around quickly for a new daycare for my son, Zeke. "Mudpies and Butterflies" was the second program we visited and we knew immediately this was the one for us.

Tammie's style with her kids was so warm and caring. She would kneel down to their level to talk to them and even did this with Zeke. We felt very much at home. Tammie and I talked for awhile while she continued to help the kids- a great multi-tasker! Her assistant was there too, which allowed Tammie the time to answer all of my questions. Her answers Passed my "test" with flying colors!

Tammie took an interest in Zeke right away and it was obvoius he was comfortable with her. He was almost 2 years old at the time and had only attended the one daycare. I wasn't sure how he'd react in a new setting, but he was so interested in the toys, kids, and classroom. I told Tammie I would need a daycare to also take my daughter, Amelia, due to arrive in June. I gave Tammie our information and told her we'd be visiting a couple more daycares and would need to make a decision shortly.

That evening Tammie called me to tell me she really liked us and could guarantee us a spot for both Zeke and the new baby! This was great news since I had visited a couple more daycares and KNEW "Mudpies and Butterflies" was the best option. And the fact that she called us really sealed the deal.

Zeke started and it took him a couple weeks to adjust, but before long he was forgetting to kiss me goodbye and was sprinting through the gate at the front door to join Tammie, Mr. Jim, and all his new little friends.

Tammie really is an exceptionally wonderful caregiver. She knows her little ones inside and out, and does such a great job meeting their individual needs. She figures out their unique personalities and gives them the best care possible. She loves them as her own but maintains a healthy boundary, so not to get burnt out. (We hope she never closes!) Tammie offers a preschool program with a comprehensive curriculum and even does lessons through the summer. Zeke comes home with new words and concepts every day: shapes, colors, and songs- and he is only 2 years old! Tammie has an impressive understanding of child development, through what she has learned and read, but also through many years of being a loving mother and grandmother. Both Amelia and Zeke now attend "School" (that's what Zeke calls it) together and it's such a good feeling to be able to really trust who takes care of your kids. One less thing to worry about is such a blessing! Amelia is only 10 weeks old, but I trust Tammie and her helpers completely.

I must add that Tammie's husband and bookkeeper is also FANTASTIC! Zeke just adores "Mr. Jim". He assists in a big way with the running of the daycare, and not just with the billing, books, and other nuts and bolts. He is a huge help with the kids. He is right there with Tammie, spending time with the kids, reading, doing flashcard drills, holding the babies, changing diapers, and taking them on fun field trips. He is also quite the photographer and regularly sends photos of the kids to their parents through email. How special it is to see the fun things the kids do there and to see them look so happy in these photos! Mr. Jim is one big reason why Tammie's daycare program is so successful. Jim Boyd should get an award for best daycare assistant!

I could go on and on about why "Mudpies and Butterflies" is the best daycare and why Tammie should win, but there would not be enough space here. I will add that the other day as I was picking up the kids from daycare, Zeke asked Tammie for a hug. Tammie was kneeling down and they gave eachother a tight hug. As they let go Zeke exclaimed, "I WANNA KISS!" We all laughed and were so touched. It warms my heart to know that Zeke is so fond of Tammie. This just shows you how special Tammie Boyd is. Her daycare kids just LOVE her and parents could not be more pleased with her daycare. We are so lucky to have Tammie as our caregiver and friend. Thank you, Tammie!

Sincerely,
Rachel Hansen
360-421-3212
rachel.hansen@live.com

I would like to see Mudpies & butterflies day care receive this award. The owner and care provider Tammie Boyd is one of the hardest working women in her field. She organized a jump rope for heart charity fundraiser last year, she's done parades.
She even dedicates time to go to participate with her children when invited to special events like school programs and sports. Tammie also specializes in special needs children. She really makes a connection and forms special bonds with these kids. She has an outstanding preschool curriculum program. Her best quality personally and professionally is that she will help any family or child in any way possible.
She's always putting the care of others before herself, and this is what I think makes a great care provider!
Thank you Tammie Boyd for everything you do for the children of our future!

I too, would like to make sure that Pam Keeler is nominated for an Exceptional Caregiver Award. She doesn't know that I know about her being nominated but, I want to make sure that I have an opportunity to share with you how proud of her I am. Pam Keeler is my Mother and I am so proud of her accomplishments with her the children that are/have been in her care. Not only is she my Mother, I have worked for her and now have a Child Care of my own that I have modeled after hers. I know that I have a lot of work ahead of me if I am ever to be as good as her but, I do aspire to that. Every family/child that comes into her care is cared for in a loving manner. These children are her family, too. I concider her one of the top child care givers you will ever meet. Her work spans over 25+ years and has had children that she has cared for come back to work for her because they love her so much. Please concider her for an Exceptional Caregiver Award for 2009.

I believe Pam Keeler should be chosen for Washington State Exeptional Caregiver. I work for her so I know first hand how much she does for these kids. Not only does she love them all individuly but she cares for them as her own most of the children start from months old and stay till its time to go to preschool and then brothers and sisters follow theres step ack into Pams care. Pam has special care for each of her kids, they all learn in preschool taught by her, the days of the week, months, year, how to spell, their letters, and numbers and the parents love the projects that they bring home for them. Even on the kids birthday we have cookies or something sweet for snack and she gives them their own gift to take home. Every kid loves coming to "Pam house" everyday and I can see that Pam Keeler loves them with all her heart. That is why I think and know that Pam Keeler should be chosen for The Caregiver Awards.