National CACFP Sponsors Association Spotlights Connie Rodgers: Creating a Successful, Loving Environment for Children

AUSTIN, Texas, May 30, 2019 (Newswire.com) - ​​​​​​​​As the third oldest of ten siblings, Connie Rodgers has always taken care of other children. When she attended school for childcare she compared it to a hand with a glove – it just fit. She strives to empower children to be their best, building their confidence and watching them grow. Her passion for helping children has kept her home child care, Happy Hearts, open and full for over 18 years. 

“Children are a product of their environment and I want them to be successful. I try to show them positive attitudes, respectfulness, and kindness. I want to do my part to raise the children into adults that can make the world a better place.”

Connie and the children work in the home garden they have planted. They enjoy watching fruits and veggies start as seeds and then grow into something they can eat. Connie prepares the vegetables using various cooking methods for the children to taste. They have grown broccoli, summer squash, zucchini, tomatoes, and even watermelon.

Along with preschool curriculum, Connie focuses on being involved and exploring the community with the children. They go to the library, a local farm, aquarium, movies, and museums tying their field trips into the lessons learned. She urges the children to be kind and helpful to others, treat others how they want to be treated, that sharing is caring, and to always mind their manners. For Connie, they are learning skills to help them succeed not only in school but also in life.

Connie truly wants the children to be able to make good choices throughout their life because of what they learned at Happy Hearts. Hopefully, through those choices they will find themselves to be the best they can be and be able to follow her motto, ‘When the heart is happy, the soul is tickled pink!’

CACFP is an indicator of quality child care. When children are cared for by providers who are part of the CACFP program, they are receiving the best nutrition available. Learn more about other CACFP providers featured in the Member Showcase at CACFP's website, www.cacfp.org.

Since 1986, the National CACFP Sponsors Association (NCA) is the leading national organization for sponsors who administer the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). It provides education and support to thousands of members in the CACFP community and in particular to sponsors of all sizes from across the country. CACFP strives to improve communication between families, caregivers, sponsors and their supervising government agencies.

Source: National CACFP Sponsors Association