Tigers Tots Pre-School & Day Care

Debbie Wibe Director

Housed in the lower level of the Madrid Home is the Tigers Tots Child Care Center Inc. and Tiger Tots pre-school.

Tiger Tots Preschool is licensed for up to 18 students per class. Students range in ages from 3-5 years old. Three classes are offered five mornings per week. By serving these age groups, Deb and her assistants are able to prepare children socially, physically, and academically for kindergarten. The Pre-school serves Madrid and the surrounding communities.

Tiger Tots Child Care Center Inc. is state licensed to serve up to 43 children. This includes part-time, full-time and summer programs. Ages of the children range from 2-12 years. The family environment includes a lunch program, creative expression, social interaction and much more.

Four full-time and Five part-time individuals ensure that these children receive proper care and education.

Full and Part time jobs are also available for those interested contact Debbie Wibe

New - Separate toddler area!

A discount for multiple child families

and pay only when at the center.

Staff with over 20+ years of experience!

Only licensed, non-profit daycare/preschool!.

The New Tiger Tots playground (at the Home's main campus) was installed by volunteers in late May.

The next phase of the project was a white vinyl picket fence to be installed. The playground is available to Tiget Tots, staff's members children & children visiting the residents but only with adult supervision.

Articles of Incorporation for a new daycare facility were issued by the Secretary of State on Aug. 1, 1975. Today Tiger Tots Daycare & Preschool is still going strong and ready to celebrate.

Need For Quality Child Care

Tiger Tots was created out of a continued need for quality childcare in the community.

Alma Shell owned and operated Happy Day Preschool and Daycare for 5 years, and in 1975 she decided to relocate the daycare because it had outgrown the space available in her home.

The first organizational meeting for a new local preschool was held July, 1975 in the home of Alma Shell at 614 Kingman Blvd in Madrid. Officers elected were Sandra Bradley, chairperson; Lamar Lovik, vice chairman; Ramona (Brown) Soccaras, secretary; and Don Fatka, treasurer.

A location for the center was sought. Pastor Charles Terrell, then the Madrid Home administrator, agreed with others that a setting in close proximity with the senior residents would be beneficial to both children and adults. Pastor Terrell approached the Board of the Madrid Home and assisted greatly in pursuing and finalizing plans for placement of the Tiger Tots Center in the lower level of the Home, beneath the Chapel, where it continues to operate 30 years later.

Finances Were Minimal

It was reported that a bake sale was held, and other donations accepted to help finance the beginning of Tiger Tots. The Madrid Home loaned much of the furniture and equipment, and Happy Day Preschool donated cots for naps and many toys. Also individuals from the community donated toys. Because of numerous complications involved, the center was delayed from its original scheduled opening of Aug. 25 until Dec. 1, 1975.

Tiger Tots Preschool

January of 1976 was the beginning of Tiger Tots Preschool after Alma Shell donated her Happy Day Preschool and its full enrollment. The preschool was held in the daycare area with each teacher working with a specific age group of children.
Tiger Tots grew and expanded so that the preschool and daycare sections exceeded the capacity of the facility. The 1976-77 preschool enrollment was 34, and in 1978-79 it was 64. A new location was sought for the Preschool, and it was located at the United Church of Christ (currently St. Paul's U.C.C.) from 1976-78. Deb (Renoux) Wibe became the preschool teacher. In 1978, with the remodeling of the kitchen in the Madrid Home, a facility for Preschool was provided in the former dishwashing area.

Community Members Involved

Some of the community member who have served on the early Board of Tiger Tots included: Martha Wibe, Lamar Lovik, Pastor Charles Terrell, Jan Young, Sandy Heth, Ramona Brown, Sandy Bradley, Arlo Young, Rose Lovik, Diane Wilcox, Alma Shell, Don Fatka, Retta Soderstrum, Carol Williams, Joan Schulz, Shona Ringgenberg, Sonja Galetich, Bill Thayer, Gary Kirkpatrick, Jim Spencer, Carol Mallory, Pat Cronk, Linda Moore, Bob Anderson, Pat Vignovich, Shirley Friedel, and Mary Lou Schipper.

First Employees

Alma Shell was the first director of the new Tiger Tots Daycare and also was the preschool teacher. Donna Ostberg was hired as the Day Care teacher and Assistant Administrator. Deb (Renoux) Wibe was the Day Care teacher, and Cindy Graham and Wendy White were employed as part time workers. According to the Centennial History Book the beginning salary for all employees was $2.10 per hour.

Agnes Walker was also one of the first daycare employees at Tiger Tots and helped with the babies. She also came very early in the mornings to clean the floors before the children arrived. Today Agnes continues to help at the daycare as a Foster Grandparent volunteer.