Karlis and Beverly Graubics manage successful child development centers throughout Richmond - visit www.Tuckaway.cc to learn more.
If you’ve seen one childcare center, you’ve seen ‘em all. Right?
WRONG!
A visit to the newest Tuckaway Child Development Center located in Varina was a real eye opener. Owners, Karlis and Beverly Graubics, have not only created a safe place where kids can stay when parents are working, but they’ve established an incredible way for kids to learn and play in a multitude of ways.
My conversation with the Graubics’ quickly turned into a fun, relaxing time of conversation about kids, growing up, working, and climbing Mt. Everest. Yep – climbing Mt. Everest.
Climbing the Mountain
Mr. Graubics took on the challenge to climb the gargantuan mountain with the support and encouragement of his fellow members of the Rotary Club and members of the community. Keep in mind that he has owned and managed child development centers for more than 40 years, has two children, and grandchildren. He’s not the typical age you’d expect someone to be when he faces this challenge!
After being coaxed further by a close friend and Governor of the Canada Rotary organization, Graubics went full speed ahead. Boot camp, training, and preparing for the event paid off and he successfully completed the climb to the base camp, raising more than $40,000 for his District.
He was obviously proud of his Rotary Club’s success as he pointed out, “Our District finished #1 in the world for new benefactors, and we had two Triple Crown Clubs for the first time ever in the District.” But he never once boasted or brought the spotlight on himself – rather, he focused on the fact that people were depending on him to do it and he knew that meant there would be significant financial support for the community. That’s the kind of person he is – always looking for ways to give to the community.
Tuckaway Varina is in business! Get $15 off per week through the end of the year when you sign-up now.
So how does someone like this come to own and manage state-of-the-art Richmond area child development centers for over 40 years?
Building a Tradition for Playing and Learning
As his wife explains, “Our children were very young and in daycare. Both my husband and I were working, and one day he came home and said, ‘We are going to buy a child development center and create something that offers more than any other’. And we did. The rest is history.”
And Mrs. Graubics is right.
The Graubics’ wanted more than a small room where children are boxed in until their parents come to pick them up at the end of the day. They wanted more than a daycare and created a new way of playing and learning for Richmond area children.
History has proven that Tuckaway centers are more than “daycare”. They are child development centers where children are encouraged, inspired, nurtured, and cared for in a way that makes them want to grow and learn. Opportunities for learning were evident throughout the center I visited, with plenty of educational books, computer labs, art centers, puzzles, fun books, games, arts, crafts, and other hands-on resources. Rooms were bright and sunny with plenty of natural light from large windows and spacious areas. Tuckaway centers are only built where there is ample land (at least 2 acres, but usually more) to allow for plenty of space for outdoor play, playground equipment, pools, and other resources for playing and learning.
What child doesn’t want to attend a center that offers fun, entertainment and lots of interaction? They even have an on-site swimming pool at most facilities where they teach swimming lessons and have trained lifeguards. As we talked, children lined up outside the door giggling and anticipating a dip in the pool as they snuggled with their towels. Their laughter was infectious and it was obvious that they loved Tuckaway and all it has to offer.
Mrs. Graubics smiled as the children passed by the window. “We want our child development centers to be more than daycare. We strive to provide a place where children learn AND play – that’s always been our philosophy and now most experts in the field of childcare are finally understanding that the regimented, structured learning schools are not nearly as effective as those with interactive, hands-on play that leads to learning. I’ve always said that we must work to the child’s potential — the cognitive level where they are — and build on that — as opposed to the cookie cutter method of teaching.” Mrs. Graubics is obviously passionate about children learning.
Mrs. Graubics has strong feelings about teaching and nurturing children. “The outcome isn’t the main thing – the road traveled is the main thing for the children. It’s the process and not the product itself – it’s a lifelong process.”
A Family Owned Business
Karlis and Beverly Graubics have certainly created a process and a pathway that encourages children to learn now and in the future. Not only have they established some of the most effective, state-of-the-art child development centers in the area, they lead by example as they work, play, grow and learn every day too. Their two grown sons have now joined the family owned business as they carry on the tradition of providing outstanding developmental opportunities for kids and managing the centers.
As one visitor to the Varina location’s open house put it, “I’m a park ranger and I see hundreds of children every year who come to the park in groups, and Tuckaway’s children are at the top of the list and we look forward to their visits.”
After making a visit to the newest Tuckaway location, I too am a believer that Karlis and Beverly Graubics have the secret formula to make ‘playing’ and ‘learning’ synonymous. What could be better for YOUR child?
Tuckaway has locations in Richmond, Glen Allen (Innsbrook), Mechanicsville, Carytown and Varina (Henrico) with infant, toddler, pre-school, kindergarten, after school, and summer camps.
Register now at the Varina location and get $15 off per week through December 31, 2011.
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