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Home › Articles › Child Care › Daddy Daycare

Daddy Daycare

A Father's Journey Caring for Kids

By Michael Sheridan

Pages:  1  2  3  

"I went to college for early childhood education," says J.T. Cook, Big Daddy's owner and director. "I was teaching preschool for 10 years, but I wanted to venture out on my own."

Starting the center was a challenge. "People were kind of surprised to find that I was running the daycare center," Cook says. "Being a male, right off the bat I'm sure it was a deterrence, even if people didn't come right out and say it. But once they saw what I was planning and the programs I'd developed, they responded positively."

Along with the challenge of starting the daycare center, Cook had to also adjust to being a father with the birth of his eldest daughter. Now 4 years old, she spends her day with her dad at the daycare center, along with her 2-year-old sister.

"I think my own children get to benefit from spending time with me and I don't have to go out," says Cook. "I get to spend time with them. I definitely think it has made the bond between me and my children much stronger."

Although he feels his children benefit from his constant presence, having them at the daycare center does present some unique challenges. "They get to see me in a different way than being a father to them," Cook says. "But sometimes they feel that the daycare is an extension of their home, so they try to get away with things that they can do at home."

Challenges of a Start-up
When it first opened is doors, Big Daddy's Day Care provided for six children between the ages of 2 and 13. According to Cook, the challenge wasn't so much about the licenses and permits, but getting the clients. "Getting out there, advertising and finding the people was difficult," he says. "Once a few came, once I got those people and I got the word of mouth, things picked up."


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