Family childcare providers are the heart of their communities, creating nurturing environments where children feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn.
We love celebrating the dedication, professionalism, and creativity that providers bring to their programs every day.
Today, we’re excited to introduce Miss Pam, a family childcare provider in Illinois and the creator behind @misspamslovinglearners on TikTok, where she shares menus, meal ideas, and real-life setups with fellow providers.
Miss Pam’s journey in childcare began in 2009 as a childcare assistant. When the provider she worked for retired in 2021, she stepped forward to open her own program — ensuring families wouldn’t have to transition elsewhere.
“When the provider I worked for retired in 2021, I opened my own program so our families wouldn’t have to transition elsewhere. The children were able to stay with someone they knew and the parents trusted.”
Today, she runs a preschool-focused family childcare program serving children ages 2 and up — blending play-based learning with intentional instruction.
“My favorite part of my work is teaching. I run a preschool program for ages 2 and up. I love lesson planning. While I’m play-based, I put a lot of time and effort into our circle time, sensory bins, light table setups, and invitations to play.”
Her thoughtful, structured approach carries over into every part of her program — including meal planning.
For Miss Pam, meal tracking isn’t an afterthought, it’s built into her rhythm.
“I try to keep my computer close to enter breakfast right after. That doesn’t always work with the needs of the children. If I can’t enter immediately, I enter both breakfast and lunch while I’m getting the children down for nap.”
Her biggest time-saving strategy?
Planning ahead.
“Scheduling meals. I plan my meals the month before. Then I schedule them in KidKare so they pre-populate. Sometimes things don’t go according to plan, so then I just have to modify those items/days instead of entering all fields for each meal each day. It really does simplify the process.”
And for providers feeling overwhelmed?
“Plan. Plan. Plan. If you can even schedule your meals for the week it will save so much time and remembering.”
She even goes one step further by organizing Child Nutrition (CN) labels with portion notes in advance, eliminating “CACFP math” during busy mealtimes.
For Miss Pam, CACFP is about more than reimbursement – it’s about professionalism.
“The CACFP is important to my program because it holds me to a professional standard. I want to know I’m serving nutritious foods and that I’m meeting portion requirements appropriately.”
Of course, it also supports her business:
“CACFP does help offset some of the cost of food for my program as well.”
And she can’t imagine doing it manually.
“I could not imagine having to hand log the meals I serve. Having everything digital saves time, reduces errors, and allows me to focus more on the children instead of paperwork.”
Find a sponsor now and start using our KidKare software for free. To use our software for free, you must join a sponsor already using our KidKare software.
Fill out our interest form to learn more about KidKare sponsors in your area. Your sponsor will help you get reimbursed for serving healthy meals.
Find a Sponsor →Miss Pam started sharing her menus and classroom setups simply to help others.
“I was just hoping to share my menus and my setups to help others.”
Her menu videos quickly became her most loved content.
“My menu videos are my most liked. I think providers and parents alike appreciate having meal ideas they don’t have to come up themselves. Meal planning and cooking for children is hard work.”
If her content saves another provider time or mental energy?
“That’s a win.”
She hopes her videos ease the fatigue so many providers experience.
“I hope my menus help the mealtime fatigue we all face. We are all just trying to do our best!”
Her advice is grounded and refreshing:
“Do not compare yourself to others — that is the fastest way to burn out in this field.”
“While I may enjoy lesson planning and teaching, someone else may love cooking or outdoor play. We all bring different strengths to this work.”
Her top KidKare tip?
“Schedule those menus in advance! It saves so much time and reduces stress during the month.”
And her encouragement to providers:
“We pour a lot of ourselves into this work. Be sure you’re taking care of you, too — a refilled cup makes a better caregiver. Find joy in your days.”
Miss Pam generously shared her March breakfast and lunch menus – a wonderful example of thoughtful planning in action.
Looking for menu inspiration or classroom setup ideas?
👉 Follow @misspamslovinglearners on TikTok for real-life examples and provider-to-provider encouragement.
KidKare is proud to support a community of over 70,000 childcare providers across the country. Spotlighting providers like Miss Pam reminds us that behind every meal entry and lesson plan is a professional dedicated to children and families. Join Facebook community group →
