July 2003

Dear Linda,

It is with mixed emotions that I write this letter to "officially" inform you that my daughter’s last day of care at Country Park Child Care will be … As I am sure that you have heard we will be relocating to a southern state.

I wanted to take the time to let you know how happy I am that I made that phone call to you over 3 1/2 years ago. I can certainly tell you that I have definitely learned the value and importance in a child's life of being at day care.

While some critics will say that placing a child in day care is a "horrible thing" they have obviously never stepped foot into your building, onto your play area but most importantly met and interacted with your staff on a daily basis.

I will never forget how emotional that first day was, for my husband that is. He was responsible for drop off – and I know you can remember how difficult that separation can be for both the parent and the child... Your staff was great  - If I remember it was Miss K.  and Miss J.  in the baby room at the time. They were so helpful with making that transition for us on a daily basis. You could just feel the love that they felt for the children they cared for. They would take my baby and comfort her tears and reassure us that she would be just fine -well it probably took about 2 long weeks or maybe more -but I know that today -I just give her a hug and a kiss and away she goes into the big play room with her friends! ! ! What a change from those first few days.

My daughter has truly grown into a very special little girl and I know that my husband and I have some input, but I would be remiss if I did not realize that she has learned so much from her experience at Country Park.

Where do I begin...1 think my fondest memories will be of both my husband and Myself staying for snack every once in awhile. We were always welcome by the teachers and the children seemed to enjoy it as well. Especially my daughter – she was so proud to have either her mom or dad present – I  think she even sat up a little straighter on those days. I loved to watch the interaction with her and her friends. They were so polite to each other as they asked for the fruit snack to be passed back and forth. The conversations about their little daily lives were an experience that I will never forget. I will say that it is too bad that more parents do not take the time to stay for snack just to be apart of that experience at least once.

If you ask me I would say that this is the foundation for the traditional family meal and if people would see how their children enjoy it so much we might value it a little more -and it is something that you and your staff should be proud of.

Country Park has been more that just a place to take my daughter to be cared for during the day – we have met some very nice families that I am sure that we will be friends with even long after we are moved and their children have grown .

The atmosphere that you have created and continue to maintain at Country Park is more like a family than a business. The personal care and attention to detail is what makes you so successful and more importantly the children cared for so wonderfully.

I really enjoyed preschool graduation – you can tell that everyone put a lot of effort into making the day special for the children and the parents. I am especially happy that it was just not about graduating and showing off what they had learned over the course of the year. The children learned how important it is to be proud of who you are and where you came from as an American citizen as well as part of a family.

My daughter surprised me yet again, when she announced that the 4th of July was to "celebrate America"!! She couldn't wait to light the candles on the cake for that celebration! !

I also wanted to let you know that I was extremely touched by your remarks at graduation. They came from the heart and I could tell that you really were sincere when you thanked us for letting you be a part of our child's first milestone. You have laid the foundation for a lifetime of learning and those early building blocks are so important to success later on in life.

All I can say is that I am extremely happy to have had my daughter experience the love, affection and education that she has received during her time at Country Park. You have set the standard very high for her lifetime of learning, interaction with others and respect for her self.

I do not believe that none of my daughter’s future teacher's will ever hold a candle to the people at Country Park. First of all, the Director, you, Miss Linda – you run that Center like a tight ship and it shows!! You have the uncanny ability to make sure that all the parents stick to the rules and create a fair environment for all – but at the same time you never let a good deed go unrecognized and it has been much appreciated !

Miss K. will be forever remembered for keeping my daughter in line – all we had to say was that we were going to tell Miss K. and my daughter was on her best behavior – god how my daughter was just not fond of sitting on that bench and we knew that we could always get her with that! Miss S. has taught my daughter the meaning of the word endurance... If anyone could motivate her to write her ABC's and Numbers it was Miss S. Miss S. also recognized and appreciated my daughter’s shortcomings – she might be in with the big kids but her emotions are sometimes those of a younger one. Challenging at best, she did a great job of keeping all those little female hormones in line and Miss S. was quite the trooper with that task.

Miss C. was always kind enough to read to the children before snack. She was especially adept at fielding all those interruptions and never forgetting her place in the story .Miss A. will always be remembered for always having the time to let my daughter say "hello" or "good bye" to little S. or Baby A. She has the patience of a saint -and she makes great cookies too!! Miss R.  will be forever remembered for the teacher that was the most fun in the afternoon. Even when the children were dog tired she would have the bubbles going and have them jumping after them. She truly is just a big kid at heart.

Last but not certainly not least, the Assistant Director, The "Principal" and the person that my daughter admires the most, Miss J. Miss J. is a wonderful person. I'll never forget the time when I asked her for some advice about whatever was ailing my daughter at any given time. She was always so helpful regarding their increase in temperature – what to do for relief, etc. You see, I had never had a child before but I guess I figured that Miss J. had taken care of and been involved with many more children then I had so she would be the best person to listen to. To this day, I continue to have the utmost respect for Miss J.  And so does my husband and daughter. It always brought a smile on my face whenever Miss J. would walk into a room and the respect she commanded from all the children. She truly has a special way about her .

In closing, I just want to say thank you so much for all you have done – we have had a truly wonderful experience at Country Park Child Care -it will always remain a special place in our hearts. I know that whenever I see a butterfly I will always remember how proud my daughter was when we drove by Country Park on the weekends and she knew that that was "her" school! !

We will miss everyone! !

Sincerely,