Daycare center opening in Fort Chiswell

By WAYNE QUESENBERRY/Staff

As a full-time working mother, Julie Hylton Tomlinson knows the importance of quality daycare. Personal experiences led her to provide that service for her community.
Tomlinson will open Kiddie Land Daycare and Preschool at 787 Fort Chiswell Road on Monday, Feb. 1. She and her staff are hosting an open house this Sunday, Jan. 31, from 2 to 5 p.m.
“Knowing your child is being well cared for eases some of the stress of being a working mother,” Tomlinson noted. “You don’t have to worry about your child’s welfare when you know he’s in a good place.”
She and her husband, Charlie, have a 4-year-old son, Trey.
While she plans to keep her regular job, Tomlinson handpicked her employees. She selected them because of their extensive experience in daycare and preschool.
“Amy Crigger will be my general manager,” Tomlinson said. “I know her on a personal level and on a professional level. She has such a background in child care as do all the other employees.”
Debbie Aker will be the lead teacher. Other teachers are Sandy Turner Belcher, Christina Austin and Melissa Cornett.
Licensed by the Virginia Department of Social Services for 75 children, Kiddie Land Daycare and Preschool will accept infants at age six weeks old through school-age children. Hours of operation will be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Tomlinson described her rates as reasonable. She is waiving the registration fees and offering a 50 percent discount for the first two weeks.
“I want to keep the rates affordable for the parents,” Tomlinson pointed out. “I want to be fair. I know there are a lot of single working moms out there and I know some parents are working reduced hours.”
According to her, she chose the Fort Chiswell area for her new business based on the need for daycare and preschool services. Tomlinson said she has received calls of interest since word got out she was opening.
“The need in the area is just so there,” she pointed out. “I felt compelled to do it.”
Tomlinson and most of her staff are from the Fort Chiswell community. She and Crigger are Fort Chiswell High School graduates.
Tomlinson praised Edgar Arnold, owner of the building, for his support of her project. She said he worked closely with her to open the business.
“We started working on it the last of September,” Tomlinson said. “Edgar had the building painted. We did an overall cleaning, put down new carpet, painted some of the classrooms, decorated inside and bought new appliances. Greg Krupey gave us a very generous discount on the carpet.”
Sunday’s open house will include tours of the building and meeting the staff. Registration will available, too.
“Businesses in the community have been so supportive, too,” Tomlinson said. “James Porter of the Master’s Bouquet donated a beautiful flower arrangement for the open house. Doug Tuck, manager of Food Country, also donated a cake.”
For more information about Kiddie Land Daycare and Preschool, call (276) 637-3106.
Wayne Quesenberry can be reached at 228-6611 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)