By Susan Edmonson, Editor Emeritus
Protection now has a daycare facility.
Opening day was Monday, Aug. 17. The public has the opportunity to meet Isabella “Bella” Cervantes and tour Silly Goose Childcare on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 1 to 3 p.m., with punch and cookies served.
Then, during the evening from 6 p.m. to midnight, the Silly Goose will be open if anyone needs a babysitter while attending Funfest activities. Miss Bella will have extra helpers there to help her care for the children.
Daily Schedule
Silly Goose Childcare opens at 7 a.m., with morning snack at 8:30 and circle time at 9. Learning centers start at 9:30, before outdoor play begins at 10:15. A group activity takes place at 11 before lunch time begins at 11:30. Nap and rest time begins at noon with an afternoon snack at 2 p.m. Enrichment hour gets underway at 2:30, before heading back outdoors 3:30. Story and reflection time begins at 4:15, with clean-up and pick-up taking place from 5-5:30 p.m.
On Thursdays, the group will be in the Protection Township Library from 3 to 4 p.m. for storytime and playtime.
The licensed daycare permits Cervantes to have up to 10 children at a time. If more than 10, there has to be another adult added. A baby under 12 months counts as two.
To contact Bella, call (620) 419-5261. Her hours at the Silly Goose are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You can also leave a message on Facebook at Silly Goose Childcare.
Daycare Needed
The daycare in Protection is a reality, thanks to the efforts of Jonathan and Mikaela Webster, of Protection, along with the Comanche County Economic Development Foundation.
Websters purchased the steel building from Cale and Rachel Willems several years ago when Rachel decided to move her clothing and accessories business, Speckles & Stripes, to Dodge City.
Rumors spread around town that the Websters planned to install a laundromat, along with fixing up the carwash facility, located south of the building. Changes that Jonathan has made to the carwash include equipment repairs/maintenance, sign replacements and an added credit/debit card reader option while still accepting quarters.
In the meantime, he and his wife attended meetings that the CCEDF was holding in Wilmore, Coldwater and Protection to address many community concerns with housing development, job conservation/growth and community wellness.
A daycare center in Protection was at the top of the list, along with housing. Both interested the Websters and the opportunity was there to follow up on both suggestions.
A grant from CCEDF helped remodel the Webster building. A new floor plan included construction of walls, laminated flooring, wiring, lighting, plumbing and painting. Men were hired to begin the remodeling, but the Websters ended up finishing the project so there would be no more delays in getting Silly Goose Childcare open.
The grant helped with furnishings including the television, kid-friendly toys, books and supplies. The Silly Goose Childcare also received donated items.
The Websters leased the building to the city of Protection, and the city subleased the building to the daycare provider Cervantes, who lives in Coldwater.
More About Cervantes
Cervantes is not new to Comanche County. She was adopted by Ron and Julia Weeks, of Coldwater, and graduated from South Central High School in 2018. Other sisters include Rachel Weeks, who resides in Texas and Linette (Weeks) Barnard who owns the business, Heads and Toes, in Coldwater and will soon be opening up a coffee shop called Rocking B’s Beverage.
The Weeks are retired and now live in Texas. Her biological siblings are Alexandra, who lives in Wichita and Robert, who lives in Texas.
While in high school, Cervantes had babysitting experience. She began employment at Dave’s Pizza Oven, in Coldwater, in 2017 and is still a part-time employee. She also worked at Lucy’s Place from 2000-2023 when that cafe was operating in Coldwater.
She took online classes and received a certificate on Dec. 11, 2024, for family child care home orientation, as well as for CPR.
Cervantes, 27, is engaged to Fabian Grover, who is hte son of Ed and Leah Grover, of Coldwater and grandson of Barbara Cummins, of Protection. The couple plan to be married in October.
Cervantes loves to cook, spending time at Lake Coldwater with family and going to the gym to exercise.
