Ruby Grisby, Milwaukee (WI)
My name is Ruby Grisby. I started out as a daycare worker and have now been an owner for 47 years. My husband and I opened our first daycare center in 1993. Most of the children we care for at Grisby’s Child Development Center live within the inner city of Milwaukee. They range from 4 weeks to 13 years of age. Our program offers preschool and daycare during the day, and we have a few children who attend for after-school care. During the summer a special program is available for school-aged children.
I’m very passionate about the care our children receive, their safety, and making sure they are prepared to start kindergarten.
One of my favorite things about my work, besides the children, is being able to assist parents and guardians with everything from basic needs to learning more about how children develop.
Through the Farm to ECE Program, we were also able to help parents and guardians with boxes of food for 12 weeks. Every Tuesday we distributed boxes of fresh fruits and vegetables to parents when they came to pick up their children. Those on transportation were given boxes as they received their children at the end of the day.
Not only did the parents accept the boxes, they were excited about them. They really stretched their imaginations when it came to using the fruits and vegetables in the boxes. Cooking some unfamiliar foods–such as squash, zucchini, and rutabaga–was challenging at first. However, with the recipes included in the boxes and some coaching from me and my staff, parents and guardians were willing to try new things and found them to be very tasty.
Our daycare children were willing to try different vegetables when we made it a learning experience at school. Our staff presented the kids with a show and tell. They were shown the vegetable before and after it was cooked. This approach made the new foods easier and more exciting to try. We made sweet potato fries, mashed potatoes, fried potatoes, and cabbage. I also prepared all-natural baby food for our infants including carrots, squash, zucchini, and green beans. I also made applesauce, which the children just could not get enough of! It felt good knowing that our children were receiving fresh, nutritious foods.
Healthy eating is the key cornerstone in early learning. A child cannot concentrate and may have difficulties learning if they are hungry.
Grisby’s Child Development Center is instrumental to our community and families. Families rely and depend on us. Our doors open early and on time, breakfast is served, and our daily schedule begins. However, I find that our center and other small centers like ours, are sometimes overlooked by the politicians who make the policies and decisions. We offer high-quality child care and fill an important need in our community. We may not be a daycare center that is part of a large chain, but we are in the heart of the city where the need is great.
We do not receive resources other than the Wisconsin Shares. For example, the Head Start Program is rarely offered to inner-city daycares because of a lack of staff education, location, and the rigid requirements of the Head Start Program.
Small centers are struggling and still giving 110%. I feel that we are not appreciated nor recognized as we should be. My employees may not all have degrees, but they do deserve the same opportunities.
I love what I do and so does my dedicated staff. One thing is for sure, I know our children are loved at Grisby’s Child Development Center. Ask our parents!
And, the children call me Nana. I AM NANA!
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Interview and writing completed by Danika Laine Brubaker. A collaboration of Kids Forward and Wisconsin Early Childhood Association supported by W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
