Local child care provider Gail Olds, left, has retired after 37 years in the business. With her is LaunchPad Director Sherry Searles. Photo provided.

News Release

WARSAW — Local child care provider Gail Olds has retired after 37 years.

LaunchPad Director Sherry Searles dropped by to say thank you for the important service Gail provided in Kosciusko County for nearly four decades.

When Searles stopped by to congratulate Gail, she met a parent in the driveway who was picking up her child for the last time from Gail’s care. This mom shared that she herself had attended child care at Gail’s house when she was a young girl.

Olds says she has had more than one second-generation from the same family come back to her when they have kids of their own.

“Kosciusko County has been deemed a child care desert by Early Learning Indiana. This means that we only have one child care seat for every three children who need care, “said Searles. “The work Gail did in the community helped families be able to stay in the workforce.”

While there are many unlicensed child care homes in the community, a licensed home is one that is monitored by the state to ensure that health and safety requirements are met and the number of children in the home is limited. Gail, like other licensed home providers in the county, was required to have annual background checks, CPR and training for safe-sleep practices.

“We need more Gails in the county,” said Searles. “And LaunchPad is here to help and support a child care provider in setting up this small business in her home. If you meet the background requirements, we can help you get the training and resources you need to become a high-quality child care provider.”

Those who are interested may reach out to Searles at 574-267-6311 or [email protected]