Giggle Gardens Learning Center

Kelly Jackson, teacher at Giggle Gardens Learning Center and a 12-year employee, says you have to love what you do to be in this profession, and she sure does enjoy it.

“You have to like what you do,” she says.

That’s not to say that caring for children doesn’t get stressful, says Jackson, who teaches older preschoolers, children she says she’s learned over time are at her very favorite age.

Seeing the children start out not knowing much about the world and then growing in knowledge over time is so rewarding, says Jackson, and that growth is what everyone in this field takes great satisfaction in seeing. But it’s not just about what she can impart to the children.

“They teach me new stuff every year,” she said.

Jackson says she really gets a kick out of children saying things they’re not supposed to be sharing.

“They don’t know better,” she said. “They’re kids.”

When a child announces something that might get a strong reaction from others around them, said Jackson, she’ll often offer her own interpretation to soften the story and calm the situation in advance. Those are the types of actions childcare providers learn over time and with experience, she said, and why it’s so important to have experienced people on staff. Strong communication is always key to smooth operations, she added.

You know a daycare facility is top-notch when the staff has family there, said this Springfield native, lifelong resident, mother of four, and grandmother of two, and her own grandchildren are at Giggle Gardens.

When she’s not at work, Jackson says she loves being in bed, and can’t get enough of it. Comfort is key, she said, laughing, which is why she invested in great padding.

She’s a big fan of crime shows, including all of the “Law and Order” shows, “The First 48,” “NCIS,” and others.