About Katie

Hi👋 I’m Katie, Founder of Childcare Pathways Consulting LLC.

If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s this. I genuinely care about childcare and the people behind it. I’ve spent nearly 20 years in the world that is childcare, starting in 2006 when I opened my own in-home childcare program. At the time, I didn’t think of it as “building a career”…I just knew I loved working with kids and supporting families.

But over the years, that experience and love turned into something much bigger. Running my own program taught me what childcare really looks like day-to-day. Not just the fun parts, but the hard parts too. The long days, the constant balancing act, and the responsibility of being someone families rely on. That real-life experience is something I carry with me in everything I do.

As my career grew, so did my role in the childcare world. One of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had so far has been helping bring a childcare program (a multi-suite licensed childcare program) to life right here in Hendricks, Minnesota. As the Director and founding program leader of Roots & Wings Child Care, I was part of building the program from the ground up- from early planning and community conversations to licensing, staffing, and daily operations.

Childcare is complex. There are so many moving pieces that go into building a quality childcare program that families, communities, and employers depend on. I have also learned something really important. There are so many people trying to build or improve childcare programs…but they don’t always have someone to guide them through it.

That’s exactly why I created Childcare Pathways Consulting. Now, I get to take everything I’ve learned- the good, the hard, the lessons you only get from actually doing the work- and use it to help others. Whether it’s a provider just getting started, one who has been doing the work but needs a bit of guidance or encouragement, a director trying to strengthen their program, or a community looking for solutions, my goal is simple: to help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and a plan that actually works in real life.
Not perfect.
Not theoretical.
Real. Practical. Doable.

Professional Experience & Background

Here’s a snapshot of my experience:

  • Nearly 20 years working in childcare

  • Director & Founding Program Leader, Roots & Wings Child Care

  • Opened and operated an in-home program in two different counties in Minnesota

  • Built a three-suite licensed childcare program from idea to fully operating

  • Experience in program planning, staffing, and daily operations

  • Work closely with families, providers, employers, and community partners.

I’ve been on both sides- doing the hands-on work and leading at a program level- which allows me to understand not just what should work, but what actually does work.

Why This Work Matters to Me

Childcare is so much bigger than people realize.

  • It impacts whether parents can go to work.

  • It affects whether businesses can hire AND keep employees.

  • It shapes the experiences children have during some of their most important years.

And in smaller communities especially, it can determine whether a community grows…or struggles.

I’ve seen it firsthand. That’s why I care so much about helping others build childcare solutions that are not just good on paper- but sustainable, realistic, and built to last.

A Little More About Me

Outside of all of this, I’m a mom first- and that perspective shapes everything I do. It’s one thing to work in childcare…it’s another to trust someone else with your own child. That alone changes how you see everything.

I’m also someone who likes to stay active and be on the go, but I also equally love the peace and quiet of being at home. I’m always working toward something, whether that’s building a program, improving a system, creating something new, setting a new goal for myself. If I’m being honest, trying new things and finding new interests is kind of my “hobby”. I like to stay busy, keep growing, and see what I’m capable of.

And if I’m being 100% honest…I’m probably thinking about childcare ideas more often than I should🙂 But that’s also what makes this work feel so meaningful to me. Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just a business. It’s about helping people create something that truly supports children, families, and their entire community.

If you’re working to build, grow, or strengthen a childcare program, I’d love to support you.

Katie
Founder, Childcare Pathways Consulting LLC