Children’s Development

Of course, this is the primary goal and concern of Boone Beginnings. The nurturing of our children through age-specific programs intentionally designed for optimal cognitive, behavioral, and intellectual development and taught by compassionate and knowledgeable specialists in the field which in turn leads to…..

With proper care during a critical, influential time in their lives, these children will be better equipped to lead successful, fulfilling lives. They’ll be much more capable of succeeding in school and higher education, let alone their future careers and relationships. And many of these young minds will someday comprise much of Boone County’s workforce!

Aside from the obvious benefit, parents who enjoy peace of mind knowing that their children are in good hands are less distracted, and therefore more productive, at work. Also, with an early childhood development center in the community, parents who had previously opted to stay at home for lack of childcare will be able to rejoin the workforce.

Bridging these intellectual gaps will reduce the number of students requiring additional help, in turn reducing the need for supplemental educational programming. And cultivating healthy social and behavioral development will considerably reduce problematic demeanors and tendencies characteristic of children with behavioral issues.

For most adults, access to high-quality schools and childcare impacts where they decide to lay down permanent roots. We anticipate that, with several great high-quality childcare options, families will be more attracted to our community. We also anticipate that this will help considerably with population retention, as families already in our community will be more likely to stay.

Each of these key benefits not only increase the quality of life for residents in Boone County but also bolsters our local economy.

85%

of human brain development happens before the age of five. Which means this is a critical time for children to receive proper academic, social, behavioral, and developmental nurturing. Without it, they could potentially battle long-term social, behavioral, and intellectual weaknesses.

90%

of Boone County survey respondents identified lack of childcare in the area as a concern. Lack of childcare was a top concern among Boone County residents in our 2019 survey. If this need isn’t met, residents may consider moving elsewhere or leaving the workforce to stay at home with their children.

10%

of Nebraskans strongly feel that most young children in our state are prepared to be successful in school by the time they start kindergarten. Not having the building blocks in place for a successful transition into formal education proves to be a concern statewide.

Meet Our Board Of Directors

Jay Wolf
Jay Wolf
Jay and his family own Wagonhammer, a ranching and cattle feeding operation. Jay is a graduate of the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. Jay has served on the Boone Beginnings Board from day one. Jay and his wife Susie have three children and three grandchildren. Boone Beginnings is even more special now to the Wolf’s, seeing their grandson attending Boone Beginnings.
Andy Roberts
Andy Roberts
I have four boys Jack, Tom, Will, and Simon and am married to my wonderful wife Susan for 20+ years. It warms my heart to walk into Boone Beginnings and I never knew how much I would enjoy that aspect of the project when we started down the path to make this happen. I am excited to see what the future brings for the children who will be impacted by Boone Beginnings. I did a lot of praying about the project and how it would turn out. We took the leap of faith to go for it, it has truly been a blessing.

I got involved with Boone Beginnings because we saw a need. The great people who worked and are continuing work on the project along with the staff and kids have been inspiring to me.

Kendra Krohn
Kendra Krohn
My name is Kendra Krohn. My husband, Steve, and I have been married for over 25 years. We were born and raised in Albion and are proud to call this community home. Together we have three daughters Paige, Kaylee, and Brooklyn and one grandson, Karsen. We enjoy spending time with our family, golfing, camping, and boating.

I have owned and operated my in-home childcare for more than 20 years. I truly love what I do seeing the smiles on the children’s faces when they walk through the door each morning and, most of all, sharing those special snuggles that make them feel safe and loved.

I joined Boone Beginnings from the very beginning because, as a childcare provider, I was receiving daily and weekly calls from families searching for care. I saw firsthand the strong need for quality childcare in our county and wanted to be part of the solution.

Todd Ford
Todd Ford
Todd and his wife, Amanda, have been lived in Albion since 2013. They have two boys: Colton and Luke. They enjoy camping as a family and any time spent outdoors. Todd graduated from University of Nebraska in Lincoln with a degree in mechanical engineering. Todd works as the engineering manager for Valero Renewables. He hopes to help improve the childcare capabilities for Boone County and give back to the community. Todd is committed to finding a solution for quality and affordable childcare in our community.
Carol Kusek
Carol Kusek
The Kusek family moved to Albion in 1987. Carol & her husband, Anthony have 3 children and 9 grandchildren who live in Nebraska. As an educator, Carol sees the necessity of quality, safe childcare in the community. Carol is also a board member of Gateway Youth Foundation and Albion Education Foundation; all of these groups support important family activities and enrichment for the Boone County area.
Emily Zuniga
Emily Zuniga
Emily (Thompson) Zuniga, her husband, Anthony and their three children live in Albion since 2025. Emily grew up in St. Edward and recently relocated back to Boone County to pursue a career with Boone County Health Center as their Contracts Manager and Payer Liaison. Emily enjoys time with her growing family, being outdoors and volunteering to help grow the communities in Boone County. Emily joined the Boone Beginnings board because she holds a strong belief that quality childcare is a necessity for all children and all communities to thrive. She hopes to work collaboratively to fill the need for reliable childcare within Boone County.