To Whom It May Concern;
Our two-year-old daughter
has attended Lion's Pride since she was eight months old. Family
friends recommended we meet the Waldens in our search for quality care.
We are incredibly grateful for the relationships our daughter has
experienced thanks to Karen and the Walden family.
We first met the Waldens when our previous care arrangement fell through unexpectedly. Karen arranged for our family to visit and agreed to enroll our daughter with little advanced notice. Because Karen was already committed to caring for two other babies at the time, she needed to pursue an additional license in order for our daughter to begin at Lion's Pride. Karen not only jumped through these hoops for our family, she requested the process be expedited for our convenience.
My husband and I have been very impressed with Karen's administrative abilities in addition to her hospitality and genuine nurturing care. I've been surprised at how willingly the entire Walden family engages with and invests in the Lion's Pride children. Our daughter has memorized the route to Mrs. Karen's house and shouts the Waldens' names in excitement all the way there! We strongly recommend Lion's Pride for your consideration.
We first met the Waldens when our previous care arrangement fell through unexpectedly. Karen arranged for our family to visit and agreed to enroll our daughter with little advanced notice. Because Karen was already committed to caring for two other babies at the time, she needed to pursue an additional license in order for our daughter to begin at Lion's Pride. Karen not only jumped through these hoops for our family, she requested the process be expedited for our convenience.
My husband and I have been very impressed with Karen's administrative abilities in addition to her hospitality and genuine nurturing care. I've been surprised at how willingly the entire Walden family engages with and invests in the Lion's Pride children. Our daughter has memorized the route to Mrs. Karen's house and shouts the Waldens' names in excitement all the way there! We strongly recommend Lion's Pride for your consideration.
If we can provide any
additional information for you as your family continues your search
please feel free to reach out to the Waldens and Karen will be able to
put us in touch.
Sincerely,
Steph & The Whipple FamilyJuly 16, 2012
My daughter, Evaly, was at Lions Pride for almost a year. Karen and her family had taken good care of her during that time. Evaly enjoyed being at their house mostly because she learned so many songs and would sing them over and over. The first thing I noticed from my daughter being in their care was how much she learned. They continued to teach her to count to ten, say her ABC's, and learn songs. Since we have moved, my daughter continues to sing her songs and talk about Karen and her family as well as her little friends she made in her short time there. Karen is patient with the children from my observations, and I believe her home to be a wonderful in-home childcare option. I would definitely recommend Lions Pride. We will miss them!
Emily S.
March 12, 2012
To Whom It May Concern:
I have known the Walden family for a little over a year. They are a wonderful family. My now 2-year-old son, Nehemiah, was with them Monday - Thursday. They did a great job with him. He really loves all of them. They welcomed him into a warm, loving, family environment everyday. I think one of the things that I loved the most was the fact that they taught and talked about the Bible. To my family and I, a Christian foundation is extremely important. I saw it not only taught, but also led by example. The Waldens are a great family, and we have been so blessed to have known them and also call them friends. I would gladly recommend them for child care. If you have any questions please feel free to give me a call at 719-465-9674.
God Bless,
The Hernandez family
May 27, 2011
My name is Amanda. My daughter, Sofia, age 2, spent several months in the great care of Karen Walden and her wonderful family. I will never forget the first evening that I went to the Walden’s house to interview Karen for our childcare provider. I was instantly impressed that the entire family greeted me, from Karen, to her three very polite children Shiloh, Keegan, and Kylie, to Karen’s husband Steve. All the kids were so well behaved, and sat and listened and played with Sofia as we talked. They all expressed that she was so cute and they knew she would be a good fit in their home. From that moment I knew this was a unique situation that you don’t find every day.
Karen and Steve together homeschool their three children, so the entire family is available to be the eyes, ears, and hands to help my daughter. I know Sofia must have felt like a princess with the royal treatment that was given her from day 1. She had all the learning toys and dolls she could handle at her disposal, as well as a dream backyard for her to play in, with kids her age and older to help her with whatever she needed. The amount of children that Karen allows in her home is smaller than most daycares, but I loved that she prioritized each child and didn’t try to just fit as many kids as she legally could into her home. I believe my daughter was given the respect and attention that Karen’s own children were given at each and every moment she was there.
It didn’t take long for Sofia to change from being excited to see me at the end of the day to being sad that she had to leave Karen’s house when I would come! That gave me great inner joy to know that she was so loved, cared for, and that she knew it!
One of the things about Lion’s Pride Creations Daycare that sets it apart from other childcare centers is that Karen invests in learning about each child’s giftings, talents, and character qualities that set them apart, and focuses on praising those things and helping them grow as individuals. I was so impressed when she started telling me that my daughter is a giver, and loves to give all her toys to other kids and siblings all the time! Sofia was also quickly nicknamed “Koala” because she loves to be held and hold onto necks like a koala bear, and there was always plenty of hands to hold her! Rest assured your child will be given an animal name too!
Our family recently had to move on to another childcare situation, as our needs changed, and it has been one of the hardest changes to make. Our 2 year old talks daily about every member of the Walden household and when she gets to go see them again….rest assured we will be back for play dates! This family is an exceptional one, and if you are considering choosing them to watch over and protect your precious ones, you will no doubt be blessed by their presence in your lives!
Amanda S.
June 1, 2010
Karen Walden is such a blessing to me and my family. I met the Waldens years ago through church, and in 2008, when we had our daughter Madison, it was no question who I would ask to watch her when I returned to work. As a new mom, I felt what we all feel -- fear of letting our babies be in someone else’s care. What was most valuable was that I didn’t ever have to worry. I knew she was in the second best hands to mine. Madison was always treated with kindness and patience and love. Furthermore, their home was always clean and kept childproof and I always walked into a positive atmosphere.
Karen and all of the Waldens for that matter don’t just “watch” kids; they truly care for them, teach, and nurture them. She was exposed to a range of education activities and a strong foundation was formed. She was taught her colors, her animals, countless songs, all about Jesus, her manners, how to say sorry, how to share, etc. She has become a very advanced 2 year old and I greatly attribute that to her first 2 years of life being spent with a family who continuously worked to fill her mind and heart.
I recently had to change daycares for distance reasons and I can say from experience that Karen can not be replaced. I am reminded of this daily when I drop my daughter off at her new daycare. I don’t have the piece of mind I used to, nor does Madison have the support and love she felt in the Walden’s home. I notice it through her actions. They all had a hand in forming the amazing little girl I have today and I will be forever grateful. I could not give Karen or her family a higher recommendation and would refer her time and time again.
Katie C.
(Note: After a year in another daycare, Madison returned to Lion's Pride, per her parents choice, until she attends preschool this coming fall.)
June 1, 2010
To Whom It May Concern:
Karen Walden was my daughter’s child-care provider off-and-on from ages 10 months to 7. Karen and her family gave Talia the most excellent care during the time she was with them. Talia learned many important and valuable things from this wonderful family. Karen goes the extra mile, so to speak. She is not just there to “babysit”. Talia learned songs, manners, games, sharing, caring – and, Karen nurtured Talia and cared for her as her own child. Consequently, Talia knew she was loved and cared for deeply, and I believe she will carry the spiritual and emotional strengths given to her throughout her life.
Having Talia with Karen while I worked was a blessing to me also. I was never worried about the level of care she was getting. I entrusted the most valuable and important thing in my life to Karen, and I was never once disappointed in doing so. I cannot express enough how having such a trustworthy, loving person watch over my child has meant to me. Talia still bears the fruit of her time with the Waldens, and she still looks forward to the times we go over for a visit.
I would unreservedly recommend Karen to anyone who wants a life-changing experience for their child.
Thank you,
Mara T.
