Get to know us!
Our Story
We are Tim and Donielle DeCow. Both born and raised in Southeast Kansas, we began our life together in 2003. Becoming parents to three children Gracie, TJ and Kadie has made our lives both chaotic and amazing! In November of 2020 we decided we wanted new experiences and opportunities for our children. For ten years we had lived on our small 25 acre farm and enjoyed raising cattle. We loved the farm life and were so thankful our children were able to have that experience, yet we knew there was so much more beyond the farm. Soon we were making plans to sell our small farm and move to Northern Colorado. In March of 2021 we officially became residents of Colorado and put into motion the building of our new home located in a neighborhood on the southwest side of Windsor, CO.
Our Journey
Donielle began her child care journey in 1999 working for a friend's licensed in home child care. This opportunity led to her position as an assistant toddler teacher at a licensed child care center.
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Immediately she knew that she wasn't meant to be the Accountant she was going to college to become. Her love for children had always shined even from a young age.
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While attending school to obtain her early childhood degree she was hired by Head Start as the Assistant Director of a local preschool. During her employment with Head Start she obtained her CDA Credential.
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Summer of 2004 was the start of a new adventure when Donielle became a licensed in home child care provider through the state of Kansas. Shortly after becoming license she partnered with Early Head Start making a commitment to exceed Kansas licensing standards and provide top notch quality care to children in her program.
In 2008 she was awarded her Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education.
The year of 2009 brought a dream opportunity when Donielle took a leap of faith and applied for her dream job. March of that year she closed her in home child care and began working for Early Head Start as their Child Care Program Coordinator. In this role she traveled throughout 14 counties in Southeast Kansas helping new providers become licensed as well as working one-on-one with in home and center based programs to increase the quality of their infant and toddler programs.
She soon realized she missed being the caregiver. As much as she loved her position she knew it was time for her to return to her love of in home child care.
Fall of 2010 Donielle re-opened her licensed in home care and continued until Summer of 2012 when her focus needed to shift to their son TJ and his medical needs.
During the decision making surrounding their relocation to Colorado, Tim and Donielle knew that once settled, Donielle would again become licensed to provide in home child care. In February of 2022 they completed the licensing process and opened their home to others.
Our Family Child Care
We put an emphasis on the "family" in family child care!
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When Tim and Donielle said they were moving to Colorado, Donielle's parents, Nana and Papa said, "I guess we are too!" Together we downsized both households and began looking for the perfect Colorado home for all of us under one roof.
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Many other changes came with our new lives in Colorado. Gracie began attending online high school, attending Aims Community College and babysitting for several families in the Windsor area. Kadie was homeschooled for a year and a half and returned to public school fall of 2023. Due to TJ's health he requires 24/7 care and is not able to attend school in person. Instead, his days are busy with in-home therapies. Papa took early retirement in 2016 to become TJ's full time caregiver and spends his days making sure TJ has what he needs!
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While Papa hangs with TJ, Nana spends the day offering an extra set of hands and has declared herself "Certified Baby Holder." When she doesn't have a baby in her arms she enjoys making the kiddos all kinds of different crocheted goodies.
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One of the biggest changes we have had is Tim having the opportunity to join Donielle, and the rest of the family, at home! In April 2022 he became Donielle's right hand man at all things child care. He is enjoying the slower pace of life, being able to take Kadie back and forth to school, have a more active role in TJ's care and no longer missing out on our day-to-day.
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From the smell of pancakes and bacon on the stove in the morning as Tim is cooking everyone breakfast, the squeals of joy from the kids when Nana comes upstairs, the smile on TJ's face as he runs through the sprinkler with the kids in the backyard, Kadie reading stories to everyone when she gets home from school and Gracie making the babies let out the most adorable belly laughs, every member of our family will make the most precious members of your family feel safe, secure and loved!
