I wanted to share our story with Angela McKinney and Deerwood KinderCare. Our time with Angel began in January 2001 with the enrollment of my son when he was six months old. We immediately became an “Angel” family. She formed a close bond with my son Clayton, nicknamed “Bubba”. Angel made the transition of being a first time parent returning to work less intimidating. She and the staff at KinderCare Deerwood were always available to answer questions, give help, or to just listen when needed. I could leave Clayton at KinderCare and know that he was being taken care of as if he was their child. When it was time for Clayton to move on it was an emotional departure. Then within a few months, our daughter Heather, came along, and we knew we would be with Angel for another five years. It made returning to work no problem knowing that Heather would be spending her days in an environment with such loving people. When Heather was three she had her first seizure at KinderCare. Not only did the entire staff know how to handle the situation, Angel was there to help me get myself together before I went in to see Heather. Throughout her remaining time at KinderCare, Angel and her staff handled Heather’s epilepsy with professionalism and loving care. We knew that when Heather was at KinderCare she was looked after and her medical needs would be addressed, if needed. Even though my children no longer attend KinderCare, they still request to stop and visit Angel and the rest of the staff. That alone is a tribute when a fourteen-year-old boy wants to stop and see "his Angel", as he used to call her. Angel and I will contact each other to keep up with how our families are doing. I feel very fortunate that we are an “Angel” family, and my children have had someone in their life to help create an emotional and educational foundation.

I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge how amazing the KinderCare Center where my daughter goes is. The outstanding and amazing directors are two Super Stars! What amazing leaders and what a team they are. This school has made us feel like family. They have taken care of my children as if they were their children. They received the best education and in the most loving environment. I went to work each day confident, relaxed and content knowing that my daughters were in the best care possible. Both academically and socially the children that go here are challenged and being taught at their age appropriate levels. I love the interaction that I have with the teachers and with the directors. They are always in close contact with me on how my daughter is doing, both academics and with social skills and I love that they are so on top of it all and include me in the daily happenings at this school.