Member Spotlight: A Kid's World Learning Center
Small Bites launched our first offering in 2019: the Taste Test Box for schools, clubs, and education organizations. Shannon Smith, Director/ Owner of A Kid’s World Learning Center, was one of our first customers.
A Kid’s World is one of Small Bites’ longest standing partners, not to mention a fixture in the Loganville community. That’s why we’re excited to congratulate Shannon and everyone at A Kid’s World on being awarded Program of the Year by the Georgia Association for Young Education (GAEYC).
It’s easy to see that A Kid’s World is a special place after 24 years of service and tons of glowing reviews. Read our interview with Shannon below, and then congratulate A Kid’s World on their GAEYC Award for statewide excellence!
SB: You were one of our first customers in 2019. What made you decide to start using Small Bites Adventure Club kits?
SS: Because of our area, nutrition education has been as much for our staff as it is for our students. Most of our staff did not have a strong foundation in nutrition education. Their exposure to a wide variety of fruits & vegetables were very limited. So for us – Small Bites Adventure Club Kits gave us a tool for our team to use to provide taste tests to the children while also teaching the staff that was using them!
SB: Being in the childcare industry has always been challenging- but particularly in a global pandemic. You have continued to prioritize food and nutrition education for your students, even in these crazy times. Tell us why.
SS: A healthy body is the number one weapon a person has at fighting disease and infection. So NOW more than ever being healthy is essential. Changing the life of a child can change the future of our world and as educators we can be a facilitator of that change!
SB: What feedback do you get from your teachers and parents? Have they seen a change in the foods picky eaters will try? Any stories or examples?
SS: Our teachers love to have the ideas, tools & resources provided for them to implement in class. Our parents are super excited for their children to be trying new foods and helping prepare simple recipes. The children love the kits and recipes. A lot of the children have no idea what “fresh” food looks like. For them all food “comes from” Walmart.
SB: Congrats on your recent award from GAEYC! Tell us about what this award means to you.
SS: To say that we are proud is an understatement! March 2022 will be our 25th anniversary. To receive this award approaching that milestone is very rewarding, It is always nice for others to recognize & appreciate your hard work and validate your beliefs that your work is IMPORTANT!
SB: What is your secret to success?
SS: I wish I had the secret to success! However, I would have to say A LOT of sweat equity has been the key to our continued growth and being able to achieve our goals!
Do you live in Loganville? Spread the word about A Kid’s World by following or sharing their profile on Instagram @akidsworld_childcare. Here at Small Bites we are raising a rainbow wrap to them. Here’s to 25 more years!