KLRU Salutes Central Texas Child Care Providers

2010 Central Texas
Child Care Provider of the Year

Brandi & David Hitchcock
Austin, TX

Brandy and David are a licensed child care home caring for children ages 15 months to 5 years. They offer quality, loving child care in a professional preschool environment. Brandi serves as the director and the primary caregiver along side her husband David as her assistant. Brandi has successfully run her preschool for 10 years and has an Associates of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education. She also has been awarded the "Director's Certificate" from the Department of Families and Children. In addition to their child care home, Brandi has served as the volunteer Children's Ministry Director for Southwest Hills Community Church and held this position for 2 years and teaches Sunday school at her current church to a variety of age groups. David served in an active role as a Sunday school teacher and leader at Southwest Hills Community Church and Austin Ridge Bible Church in which he taught classes and worked directly with children for over 8 years. They have a 12-year old son who has embraced his parent's profession.

Christine Baird, Kyle, TX - Having over 15 years worth of practical childcare experience, Christine brings a wealth of knowledge to create both a stimulating and positive environment for every child in her care. She is a licensed home daycare specializing in allowing children to develop through hands on activities, circle time, messy table, cut & color, creative art, outdoor games and activities. Christine volunteered to represent central Texas as the Region Representative for 6W to the Texas Professional Home Child Care Association. Christine will be responsible for the upcoming training seminar to be held in Austin May 1st, 2010.

Tony Bingham, Austin, TX - Tony has been involved in youth activities for over 34 years. She has been in her own licensed daycare for 15 years. Tony has two sons, one in college and another studying for his bar exam. She has traveled with her husband as a military wife and worked for the Army and Air Force as a curriculum specialist in Germany and a Youth Activity Specialist in New Mexico respectively. Tony was the Asst. Director and Director of the Bergstrom Child Care Center before it closed. Tony has a degree in Physical Education and Health and an Associates Degree through the first program instituted by the Air Force specializing in infant, toddler, preschool and school-age children. Tony runs a happy, loving center with high parent participation.

Martha Carrillo, San Marcos, TX - Martha has a licensed bi-lingual program. She has two college educated children and her husband is a math teacher at San Marcos HS. Martha retired from retail and started working in a local daycare running their CCMS program. She was laid off so she started her own program nine years ago. She has a beautiful center with plenty of room for her children and large outdoor space for activities. Martha communicates with her parents with a monthly newsletter.

Margaret Coose, Austin, TX - Margaret has a wonderful site and has use of a childcare helper since she is now in her 60s. She was a hairdresser by profession but started her childcare since she had five children of her own. She's been in the business for 13 years now and takes 12 children from infants to school-age with after-school care.

Linda Woodard, Pflugerville, TX - Linda has a licensed daycare setting and use of a childcare helper. Linda has over 10 years experience in the field with special emphasis with military families since her husband was in the Air Force. She is responsible for 12 children from infants to school-age. She has a loving environment and creative program.

2009 Central Texas
Child Care Provider of the Year

Lisa Weidknecht

Lisa Weidknecht, is a nationally accredited childcare professional. She has been in the business over 20 years. She provides home-based childcare for 18-month to 5-year old children. She enjoys working with a mixed age group because they learn so much from one another. More...

2008 Central Texas
Child Care Provider of the Year

Melissa Huber

It’s another day of exploration and learning for these children in the care of Melissa Huber. Melissa strives to make every activity an education one. She models shared reading strategies with her children and while doing so, she incorporated math, science and Spanish effortlessly into the lesson. Melissa Huber has been a licensed in-home childcare provider for 12 years, starting when her daughter was 2 years old. More...

2007 Central Texas
Child Care Provider of the Year

Margaret Saldana