Kids & Company is a licensed school age child care program for the state of Iowa that serves children preschool to 5th grade and is within the Council Bluffs Community Education Foundation. Greg Smith is the Program Director at Kids & Company.
Tell us a little about your organization. – We offer a before and after school/summer program in the Council Bluffs Community School District elementary schools. Our program is more than just kick ball and glorified babysitting. In our curriculum we offer arts/crafts, science/nature, service learning, character counts, reading, music/movement, and cultural awareness. At Kids & Company, each registered child has the opportunity to have fun in a safe and well-rounded program right at their elementary school.
How did you get started in the program? – I have a teaching degree and I have always loved working with children and creating quality programming. I’ve worked in child care or taught for 17 years. I love the idea of school age before/after care programming because we have the opportunity to teach children doing hands-on activities and work with a variety of children and staff. Children learn through play in our program.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – The biggest challenge most child care programs face is staff turnover. I think we do are doing a relatively reasonable job with this but industry standard is 50% turn over in a year for part-time employees. We strive to help build as much consistency as possible for our families with quality staff. We are always looking for quality staff members.
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – I would say while working and managing staff I have changed my philosophy to more of a cooperative leader. I try and teach and lead them more. I think this is now a much better way for long term success of an organization.
Tell us a little about your family. – I have four children; a 12, 10, 4 and 2 year old. My children enjoy sports and camping. They are great kids.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Working for the CB Community Education Foundation; Kids & Company has taught me a lot about leading in more of a teacher/mentor role.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Hanging out outside, watching the Minnesota Vikings, walking the dog, or camping.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I was born overseas on a small island north of Australia.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – Try to be as helpful as possible to your supervisors. You might never know why they are asking you to do things but you also don’t know what is being asked of them.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Passionate. I’d love for people to remember me as some who didn’t sit on the sidelines of life.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – I would really enjoy coaching long distance running.
What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – My church and my current at job at Kids & Company are both non-profit organizations and I strongly believe in both of their missions
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Stella’s Bar & Grill or Ted and Wally’s.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – By phone: (712) 322-8800; Email: gsmith2@cb-cef.org; Website: www.commedfoundation.org/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/CBKIDSANDCO; Twitter: KidsCompany1991.