On a Wednesday morning at Grow at Eden child care center in Parsons, a little girl around the age of 2 tapped on a large window that separates her classroom from a conference room that doubles as an office.
Owner Kandy Rushing and program director Laurie Griffon stopped mid-conversation, and turned to wave and smile at the girl.
Windows between some classrooms make it easy for teachers and staff to check in on each other in case someone needs help.
They’re also a reminder of the family atmosphere Rushing has created.
“We’re watching out for each other, just like a family,” she said.
In less than two years, Grow at Eden has blossomed into one of southeast Kansas’ fastest growing child care centers. It filled to its capacity of 60 child care spots in its first year and Rushing is planning a 7,000 square-foot expansion for another 48 children.
She’s hoping to bring that same kind of success to Iola with the purchase of Kids Kingdom daycare.
Officially, the sale of the daycare from owner Mona Hull to Rushing occurred Thursday evening. But it has taken months and the dedicated efforts of numerous organizations and community leaders in both Iola and Parsons to make it happen.
KIDS KINGDOM opened in 2007 under Nicolle and Justin Hoepker, and was purchased by Hull and her husband, Leland, in 2010.
At that time, owning the daycare center gave Hull the opportunity to stay close to her children, Josh, Sam and Laney, who ranged in age from 18 months to 7 at that time.
Hull returned to the corporate world in 2013, while continuing to own Kids Kingdom.
Today, her children are more busy than ever, stretching Hull in her ability to support them in their activities, work full time, and oversee the child care center.
“I felt I wasn’t able to give the time to the center that I felt it deserved,” Hull said. “Work-life balance is huge for our well-being. It has been hard to manage a good balance, especially over the past few years.”
Something had to give.
But selling the business was a daunting prospect.
Hull hesitated to publicly post its sale, afraid it might scare away potential families or employees in the interim. She worked with a real estate agent, relying strictly on website advertising and word-of-mouth.
