T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM Life of Learning Childcare owner Kylie Menter demonstrates play-based learning with her son, Max McDonald, 3. Menter will open her childcare business on Oct. 19, and will have room for five children.

More child care is sorely needed in Marshalltown, and a new childcare business is opening to meet some of that need.

Life of Learning Childcare will open for business on Oct. 19, and will be able to accommodate five children, aged newborn to 5. Owner Kylie Menter, 26, has always wanted to work with kids.

“I have always had a passion and a love for teaching kids, and I know that there is always a need for quality childcare,” she said.

Menter will have a small opening party for the children consisting of games, crafts and treats.

“I have a passion for teaching little minds and growing little hearts,” she said. “I understand how scary it can be for a parent to put their trust into a stranger when choosing a daycare for the most important person in their life, and I would love to do anything I can to help alleviate that stress and worry.”

Menter’s grandmother’s in-home daycare is what inspired her to open her own. In fact, that is why Menter began babysitting at the age of 12, and gathered a collection of childcare experience in different centers and head start.

Menter said Life of Learning will focus on play-based learning, which is learning through playtime. That can be done, she said, through puzzles, counting toys that are being played with or even just talking about the different colors or features of a toy.

“Play-based learning is not sitting at a table working on worksheets or sitting for a lecture,” she said.

Parents can be assured their children will be safe at Life of Learning. Menter is in the process of completing CPR and first aid courses.

Even though Menter cannot take state funding now, that is something she will be able to accept in the future. However, her rates are affordable. A full-time spot of 40 hours per week would cost a parent $100. Part-time spots of 20 hours or less cost $50 per week.

“I do give sibling discounts, each additional sibling gets half off of the weekly rate,” she said.

Life of Learning will have a dedicated Facebook page parents will have access to upon enrollment. Menter will post pictures to the page throughout the day so parents can see what and how their children are doing.

“I want to give parents a place they not only feel safe leaving their kids but somewhere the children love to be as well,” she said. “Parents should choose Life of Learning Childcare because your children will be treated as if they were my own while they are here.”

LIFE OF LEARNING CHILDCARE

Location: 3202 S. 12th Ave. Lot 135

Phone number: 641-387-0498

Hours of operation: 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday

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Contact Lana Bradstream

at lbradstream@timesrepublican.com