TFI Community Child Care, Inc. was established in 2007 as a not-for-profit child care agency. The agency recognizes the growing importance of early childhood development through the hundreds of children that they serve and thus, TFI Community Child Care, Inc. was created to expand on its experience in providing quality of care in Kansas communities.
The first child care facility was opened in Junction City in May, 2007 as TFI Community Child Care, Inc. (TFI CCC). An additional opportunity presented itself in October, 2007 when TFI CCC continued the legacy of Sunshine Acres; a Montessori school in the Lawrence community with over 35 years of experience.
The Seed for Sunshine Acres Montessori School was planted in Susan Mozykowski’s heart at a young age by a very special preschool teacher, Lenoir Miller. As Susan grew so did the desire to create something as special as the “Sunshine Corner” school where she had experienced so much love and developed such a zest for life and for learning.
In 1970, Sunshine Acres’ founders, Susan Mozykowski and Gene Kean, remodeled their garage and turned it into their first classroom. By 1972, Sunshine Acres moved to their present location and functioned as a two classroom school until the addition of another wing offered two more classrooms in January, 1988.
Sunshine Acres Montessori School has been serving Lawrence and the surrounding communities with a quality program for over 35 years and has provided care for more than 4,000 children in Douglas County.
In November, 2007, Sunshine Acres Montessori School became a unit of TFI Community Child Care, Inc. Sunshine Acres operates as a nonprofit private school and participates in the state food program.
TFI Community Child Care, Inc. welcomed Tots and Tales Montessori School as part of their growing group of child care facilities on October 31, 2008. Tots and Tales is located near the Legends in Kansas City, KS.
Tots and Tales Montessori School opened its doors over 30 years ago when Jennie Barfoot started the school. Shortly afterwards, Barfoot’s daughters, Saundra Kennedy and Cheryl Potter joined their mother as child care providers. Since then, several generations of families have been served by Tots and Tales. The child care staff has deep roots in the school where many have been with them since the beginning. Tots and Tales’ vision encapsulates Dr. Maria Montessori’s belief that education should be an aid to life. TFI CCC carries on the rich foundation that the school has established.
TFI CCC’s first child care center in Junction City closed in early 2009 with the creation and implementation of the USD 475 Child Development Center. This center is the first of its kind in Junction City where a Public School District, the US Military, and a Private Not for Profit agency collaborated to construct a child care center. Each of these agencies was instrumental in the funding, design and development of the center.
USD 475 Child Development Center opened March 3, 2009 to all military, hospital, and USD 475 employees. In June of 2009, the Center was opened to the community and surrounding area to provide a much needed service. Special considerations are made to families who are in the military, TFI Child Care Development and USD 475 employees due to the collaborative efforts. The center participates in the ACCYN and SRS to assist families in meeting their child care needs.
Based on the initial successes of TFI CCC’s child care centers, the agency continues to look for additional opportunities in early childhood education.
TFI Community Child Care, Inc. is a not-for-profit agency.