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Lewis County Business Spotlight – A New Chapter at Cougar Den Daycare & Learning Center

New owner Betsy Kempe steps into the ownership role at the Ewing-area childcare center, while longtime owner Lori Miller remains part of the team.

EWING, Mo- Cougar Den Daycare & Learning Center has been part of the routine for many Lewis County Missouri families over the years. Sitting just outside Ewing, between Highland Elementary and Highland High School, the center has cared for children from their toddler years through elementary school.

Now there is a new owner at the door each morning.

Betsy Kempe recently took ownership of Cougar Den from Lori Miller, who had owned the center since November 2012. For Kempe, the opportunity brought together her education, her interest in working with children and the chance to take on a business that was already well established in the community.

“I’m really excited to be doing what I love and working with kids,” Kempe said.

Kempe said she holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees related to the field, so stepping into Cougar Den felt like a natural fit.

She is also not walking into the job alone.

Miller has stayed on part time and continues to work with the children, something Kempe said has made the change in ownership much easier.

“I couldn’t do it without her,” Kempe said. “I’ve been very fortunate. She is staying on and working part time and has been there every step of the way with me.”

For families who have known Miller for years, her continued presence also provides some familiarity. The children know her. Parents know her. And rather than leaving Cougar Den altogether, Miller can now spend more of her time with the children while stepping away from much of the responsibility that comes with ownership.

Kempe has no plans to come in and change everything simply because her name is now attached to the business.

“The only thing that has changed is the ownership,” she said. “We still have our staff. Everything’s the same.”

Getting to know the kids

Ask Kempe what she has enjoyed most since taking over and she does not start with the building, enrollment numbers or the business side of daycare.

She starts with the kids.

“I have just loved getting to know the kids and being with them and learning more about them,” she said.

That includes learning where each child does well, where they may need more help and simply getting to know their personalities.

For Kempe, childcare is about more than having a safe place for children to stay while their parents are at work. She wants Cougar Den to be a place where children learn, play and leave better prepared for the next classroom they will enter.

“Our goals are to create a safe place for their kids, teach them something and prepare them for elementary school,” Kempe said. “And honestly, just have fun with them.”

That school-readiness piece has long been part of Cougar Den’s reputation locally. The center offers a preschool program for 4- and 5-year-olds, including children who may have missed the kindergarten cutoff or families looking for another preschool option.

Kempe said there are currently openings in that preschool class.

Childcare from age 1 through school age

Cougar Den serves children ages 1 through 10.

For school-age children, the center offers care before and after school, with the school bus picking children up at Cougar Den. During summer break, those children can attend throughout the day.

Kempe said openings for 1-year-olds are also expected in the near future.

Those different age groups mean a family can potentially stay with Cougar Den for several years, rather than having to find a new arrangement every time a child reaches another stage.

And for parents, especially those trying to juggle work schedules with school schedules, before-school, after-school and summer care can fill some important gaps.

Growing the staff, too

With the ownership change and room for more children, Kempe is also looking for more help.

Cougar Den is seeking one full-time employee and one part-time employee. Kempe said the additional staff would help cover classrooms and give the center more flexibility throughout the day.

It is another part of settling into ownership, but Kempe does not talk about Cougar Den as though she is trying to reinvent it.

She talks about continuing it.

There is respect for what Miller built, excitement about getting to know the children already there and room to welcome more families through the door.

“We thrive on giving them the best care that they can get,” Kempe said, “and helping them learn to their fullest potential.”

For a childcare center, that may be the most important measure of the business.

Interested in Cougar Den?

Families looking for childcare are encouraged to contact Cougar Den and talk with Betsy about current openings, the preschool program or openings expected for younger children.

Cougar Den Daycare & Learning Center can be reached by calling 573-288-4138 or through their Facebook page or by email at cougardendaycare@outlook.com.

And if you are looking for full-time or part-time work and enjoy working with children, Kempe would like to hear from you as well.