Childcare Provider Spotlight: Kimberly Brabbs
The Community Success Panel has identified three focus areas to improve life in Midland County: Housing, People Attraction & Retention, and Childcare.
To shine a spotlight on the progress already happening in Midland County, we’re sharing stories of the compassionate professionals who nurture our youngest learners every day. Childcare providers are the heartbeat of our community. They create safe, caring environments that help children grow, give parents peace of mind, and strengthen families across our region.
Today, we’re excited to introduce you to Kimberly Brabbs, whose in-home daycare creates a space where children feel safe to explore, create, and become who they are meant to be.
Kimberly Brabbs, In Her Own Words:
My name is Kimberly Brabbs, and I’ve spent more than 30 years working in early childhood education. Over the years, I’ve worn many hats — nanny, daycare center staff, and for the past 22 years, an in-home childcare provider here in Midland County. This work has shaped my life in ways I could never have imagined, and I still find joy in it every day.
A few years ago, I made a change that felt right for both my family and my work. I began operating my childcare in alignment with the Midland Public Schools calendar. That means summers look a little different for me. They’re a time to rest, recharge, and spend time with my family, but also a time to dream, plan, and build curriculum for the year ahead.
Each week during the school year starts with a theme. That theme guides everything we do, from the books we read, the art we create, and the conversations we have. It gives our days intention while still leaving plenty of room for curiosity and exploration.
Our daily schedule has structure, but it’s flexible, changing “as the wind blows,” as I like to say. The bones of our day usually look like this: good morning hugs, breakfast, art, outdoor time, lunch, rest, and more outdoor play when the weather allows. Being outside is a huge part of who we are. Summer water days, sandbox play, and lunches outdoors are some of my favorites. We even embrace rainy days, bundled up in rain suits, splashing and exploring.
Winter brings its own adventures. Getting seven little ones into snow gear should probably qualify as an Olympic sport. And for those days when we want to feel connected to nature without battling the elements, we recently built an all-seasons glass greenhouse that serves as an outdoor classroom. It’s become a special space for learning, creating, and simply being together.
What I love most about this work is watching children grow into themselves. Seeing their confidence build, their curiosity deepen, and their personalities shine is incredibly rewarding. But my absolute favorite moments come through creative play. Watching a child go from mixing paint with their hands to carefully holding a brush. Seeing their experiments evolve from muddy brown to thoughtful color choices and intentional shapes. Observing the excitement as they pour glue onto paper and decide what to add — tissue, feathers, beads, glitter, or all of the above. Or the pure wonder on their faces when dry sand turns into liquid mud beneath their fingers. Those moments are magic.
Of course, this work comes with challenges. Finding reliable, trustworthy assistants is one of the hardest parts of being an in-home provider. There’s no stepping out on a lunch break or leaving early for an appointment. I’ve missed Mother’s Day teas, award ceremonies, and after-school sports because I couldn’t find coverage. At one point, my mom had to take two of my own children to get their wisdom teeth removed because I couldn’t leave the daycare. These are sacrifices many people never see.
If I could wish for one resource, it would be a dedicated mentor for new providers. Someone who could guide them through setting up their space, offer practical advice, and share best practices for teaching young children. That kind of hands-on support could make a huge difference for those just starting out in this field.
Most of the families who find me do so through word of mouth, parents sharing my name with other parents. Occasionally, I’ll post an opening on Facebook, but community connections have always been the heart of how my daycare grows.
There isn’t one specific moment when I can say I struggled the most. Being an in-home provider means it’s just me and six or seven children every day. There are moments when I wish I could talk to another adult for a few minutes, or when I’m not feeling well and could use an extra set of hands. But even on those days, I remind myself why I chose this path.
Childcare, for me, is about creating a space where children feel safe to explore, create, and become who they are meant to be. It’s demanding, joyful, exhausting, and beautiful, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Do you have a Midland County story you would like to tell that aligns with our vision?