Childcare Provider Spotlight: Kristin Nowak
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 Kristin Nowak of Kinder Kare, whose dedication and passion help shape brighter futures for the children and families she serves.
Kristin Nowak, In Her Own Words:
My name is Kristin Nowak, and I’ve been working in early childhood education for 34 years. For 32 of those years, I’ve been with Michigan Child Care Centers, Inc. dba Kinder Kare. It’s been the work of my life and honestly, it feels like part of who I am.
Kinder Kare has a long history here in the Great Lakes Bay Region. 2026 will mark our 60th year! What began in a basement in Midland back in 1966 has grown into a network of centers across Bay, Midland, and Saginaw counties. Over the years, we’ve moved through many different spaces, but no matter where we’ve been, the mission has stayed the same: to provide safe, consistent, quality care and education for children.
Here in Midland, we have two centers. Our full childhood center serves children from newborns through 12 years old, including two free preschool classrooms through the Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP). We also have our Longview site, which includes two more preschool classrooms (also GSRP).
Our days are full and carefully structured around the needs of each age group. Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers each have their own classrooms and lesson plans, progressing as they grow. A typical day might include breakfast, large group time, free choice play, small group activities, outdoor play, lunch, nap, and then more learning and play in the afternoon. For families, we offer both full-time and part-time enrollment, with childcare open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to align with the workday, and preschool programs that mirror a traditional school schedule.
One of the things I’m most proud of is our staffing ratios. While state guidelines allow one adult for every 12 preschoolers, at Kinder Kare we keep that ratio lower with one adult for every eight children. For infants, it’s one adult for every four. That extra attention makes such a difference, and we maintain enough staff to cover absences so the children’s care is never disrupted.
When people ask me what I love most about this work, my answer is always the same: the children, and their families. Everything we do is about them. There’s so much joy within these walls… joy that comes from seeing a child master a new skill, or watching their confidence grow. Over the years, I’ve seen children grow up and return to Kinder Kare as teachers themselves. Some even bring their own children here. Those moments remind me that what we do truly makes a lasting impact.
Of course, there are also challenges. Staffing is always the hardest part. It’s not just finding enough people, but finding the right people. Each classroom is unique, and each child deserves a teacher who is committed and passionate. When the fit isn’t right, it can lead to burnout. That’s why I work hard to support our staff, because they are the heart of what makes Kinder Kare possible. If I could add one resource that would make life easier for childcare providers across the region, it would be a substitute pool to call on to fill in during vacations, sick days, or family leave.
Like many providers, the most difficult time in my career was during COVID. We were pared down to a skeleton staff, open from morning until night, caring only for the children of essential workers. Some days it was just two of us running the entire center. None of us knew how long it would last, or what “normal” would look like again. Even now, years later, the effects are still with us. Hiring is more difficult, turnover is higher, and it takes even more effort to find those passionate people who are committed to this work.
But through it all, my love for this field has never wavered. Because childcare isn’t just a job, it’s a calling. It’s love, meeting the needs of families, and continually growing. It’s relationships that last decades and ripple out into the community in ways you can’t always see right away. I’m proud to be part of Kinder Kare’s history, and I’m proud of the role we play in helping children and families in our region thrive.
If you’d like to connect with Kristin regarding childcare please call Michigan Child Care Centers Inc. dba Kinder Kare at 989-835-9201.
Do you have a Midland County story you would like to tell that aligns with our vision?