Zach's Story
When it came time to find a place to care for our son on a daily basis, our biggest fear was that the expectations we had for childcare would be greater than our means financially. Our son, Gavin, needed help to learn to communicate effectively and his behavior was challenging us on a regular basis. In addition, because of a near death accident Gavin had been involved in, our worries were significant and to say we were overprotective would have been an understatement. We visited many local providers within our price range. During a few of those visits we were simply provided with a pamphlet, a pricing sheet, and a phone number to call if we were interested. In all honesty, we began to believe we would need to lower our expectations and that our son would have to make do with what we could afford. It was a heartbreaking realization.
In the final moments of choosing a program for Gavin, a relative suggested we visit Christina Kent Early Childhood Center before making our decision. She had heard of the Christina Kent from a friend who had a wonderful experience. We immediately did our research online and became very excited to visit the school. At the same time our fears of the financial burden returned. Those fears were soon diminished after our first visit to Christina Kent.
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Upon arrival to Christina Kent, we were greeting by a very friendly front office staff. We were offered something to drink and sat at a table with Genie. During the initial meeting we were able to talk about the hopes and dreams we had for our son and areas that we felt Gavin needed to improve upon. Our financial concerns were alleviated when we learned there was a program that allowed us to pay based on our income. It felt as though a weight was removed from our shoulders and we were finally going to be able to focus on Gavin’s education.
"Today, we only worry for a time when Gavin becomes too old to attend Christina Kent, as the facility and its employees have become our friends."
This month marks our 6th month with Christina Kent. On the first day of school, Gavin was having trouble forming sentences or communicating at all. He had transition problems and didn’t have another child that he ever called “friend”. Today, Gavin sings us songs and speaks to us in sentences. He tells us his wants and needs, and also talks frequently about his friends and teachers at school. Gavin’s mother and I have gone from a feeling of hopelessness in an effort to assist our son who was behind for his age group in areas such as speech and behavior, to parents that brag about or son’s accomplishments at school and how smart he is. Today, we only worry for a time when Gavin becomes too old to attend Christina Kent, as the facility and its employees have become our friends.
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- Zachary F Clark | CKECC Parent
Jessica's Story
Christina Kent has been a home away from home for both of my daughters. We love the child-led, play-based philosophy, the wonderful, healthy meals, and the consistent, caring staff. CK is more than a daycare or preschool, it is a place for kids and families to learn, grow, and thrive! We feel so fortunate to have been able to send our children to such an amazing place when they can’t be with us.
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- Jessica Kennedy | CKECC Parent
Zoey's Story
My daughter started at Christina Kent in 2023. She was in their busy bee pre-k class. Today she continues to go there in the Lion class as she continues onto kindergarten, which are times her APS school is closed but Christina Kent is open. She has thrived since attending Christina Kent and is a whole different child. All the staff and teachers at Christina Kent are amazing. I am so thankful to Theresa, Andrea and Gabby who are some of the best humans I have met. They are so patient, kind and treat our children as their own. Sandra, Allison and Andrew are part of the staff and are also so amazing. It's a great community and their approach to help raising our young children is nothing short of exceptional. I have nothing but great things to say about the school and if anything wish they continued onto elementary.
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- Zoey Romero | CKECC Parent
Annamarie's Story
My daughter began attending Christina Kent in the fall of 2022, she was in their Teddy classroom and then their Busy Bee room for PreK. I cannot say enough good things about this school. The office staff was very helpful in showing me the facility, helping me to fill out the paperwork, and navigate the enrollment process. The building is easily missed from the outside, however once inside, you feel the warmth and love for the children from everyone from the cooks to the teachers. They truly love these kids. The teachers are kind, empathetic, patient, and treat each child with respect. My daughter loves her class and her teachers. They teach farm to table and family style dining, which is reflected at home. My daughter has tried a large variety of foods and enjoys almost anything I make now. They are intentional with their fieldtrips and their classroom activities. She is beyond ready for kindergarten, and I am very sad to leave the Christina Keny Community. I highly recommend this school!
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- Annamarie Brown | CKECC Parent
Cee's Story
Amazing, amazing place for children to learn and grow! The staff and directors are there for all the right reasons and are so positive and helpful. They allow children to be children while still teaching them so many essential skills to help them academically. They give all students the same opportunities and don't turn their cheek to children with behavioral or other issues. All students are loved and cared for and it shows in everyone's face that is a part of this beautiful center! Highly recommend!
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- Cee D. | CKECC Parent
Nadine's Story
Our family loves Christina Kent. We've had two children attend, with our most recent attending for 3 years. The school incorporates real-world experiences by partnering with the surrounding community, they garden, and they even have Art Walks open to the downtown community. They welcome and value parent involvement through event like the Art Walks, parent meetings, fundraisers, or volunteering if needed or just offered. Our family also appreciates and values Christina Kents' dedication to staff development and providing healthy farm to table options for the staff and children. The director and admin treat their employees well, and it translates to better care for the children. I could go on and on, but overall, the entire staff is caring, fun, knowledgeable, and understanding. I would absolutely recommend this school.
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- Nadine Carriaga | CKECC Parent
Francine's Story
This is the best early childhood center in town. My kids have been going there for the past 3 years and they have loved everything about it. Their teachers, friends, activities, events and the fresh healthy meals. They teach them about gardening, healthy choices, take them into the community, they do creative art projects (we love the semi-annual art walk when the kids display their art work) as well as pre academic skills. We are just sad they don’t do elementary school we are going to miss it there very much. We even left for a short time because we moved out of the area, I tried two other centers and I decided the drive was worth it and we ended up going back. The teachers are wonderful and very caring, compassionate and supportive of the children’s social/emotional development and learning.
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- Francine Sanchez | CKECC Parent
Mazie's Story
We love Christina Kent! We have had both our children attend even after a four year gap between the time we spend there with my first child and after having had our second child. They have managed to keep a lot of the same teachers over the years. I feel that says a lot to how they treat their staff.
They are compassionate and understanding.
We came from a place that my daughter cried, screamed and didn’t want to be at. Now we are leaving her on good terms and she is happy to be at school with her friends and teachers. Waves goodbye in the morning with a smile, We are super grateful for all the help and support Christina Kent has provided our children.
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- Mazie Spake | CKECC Parent
Jenni's Story
My oldest daughter started at Christina Kent in 2022 at the age of 2 and was there for 3 years. Our experience was nothing short of a dream. Her teachers were amazing and constantly communicated with us. I appreciated that there were parent teacher conferences from the start and they clearly cared about my child. I loved that there is as much family involvement with the school and activities as you could desire, including after school nights, special family and holiday days, and family lunches. The food is amazing and I wish they did adult to go meals. It’s all farm to table fresh and gives a wide variety to explore new tastes for young palates. Water days were a huge hit and I love all of the field trips even the young kids get to take (pumpkin patch, groove art space, fire station, civic plaza, zoo, and more!). I was so excited when they opened the infant and toddler classrooms in 2025 and I was able to start my younger daughter at the school. She’s been in the 1yo class since the start and I’ve had nothing but amazing experiences there as well including open and frequent communication, introduction to many different experiences, foods, and learning experiences, and a huge sense of community. Christina Kent has played a large role in our family’s life and I can’t imagine daycare and preschool without it. The administration is open, honest, and available and I love that the know every child and parent. I can’t say enough good things about Christina Kent.
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- Jenni Jankovsky | CKECC Parent
Natalie's Story
Christina Kent quite literally changed our families lives by providing a safe and inclusive space for our children to go to Early Pre-K. The administrative team always communicated with us and made us feel like part of the community and integrated into the school. The teachers made our children feel special and seen on a daily basis, with an emphasis on art and exploring the world around them. Our daughter was prepared for starting K and Allison and the rest of the Admin team, went above and beyond to prep us for the transition to K. We hope to always stay involved with Christina Kent and will always appreciate our time with Christina Kent and all of the families we were lucky enough to spend time with there.
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- Natalie DeGroot | CKECC Parent
Rebecca's Story
This preschool has been the best thing for my twins! As a single mom who works full-time, knowing that I am leaving my children in a nurturing, imaginative, safe environment has given me so much peace the last few years. The staff are kind and caring, the learning approach is creative and child-oriented, and together they foster genuine curiosity about the world. Each child is seen and encouraged in their individual strengths and growth areas. My children and I LOVE Christina Kent!
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- Rebecca King | CKECC Parent
Ruth's Story
Recently, on September 29 [2023], I was privileged to visit the Christina Kent Early Childhood Center and I wish to thank everyone who welcomed me and made my visit educational and enjoyable. Thank you to Amy [Board Member] for inviting and escorting me, Sondra and Andrew for greeting us at the door, Andrew for showing me every classroom and explaining the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education, and all the teachers who were busy putting theory into practice. I am impressed with the teachers' and staff members' care for the children and their devotion to the Christina Kent ECC mission. They are providing a foundation for the children that will benefit them and their families well into the future. I am sure the Albuquerque Women's Club would be pleased to know that what they began in 1919 continues to serve the children and families of Albuquerque over a hundred years later.
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In honor of Amy Maxwell's years of service as Board President and in honor of all the good work at Christina Kent, I am enclosing a modest contribution.
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- Ruth Ann Hunt | CKECC Visitor
Archer's Story
Early childhood education is what prepares children for kindergarten and helps children learn and develop fundamental skills early on in their live to a greater extent than what parents can provide just on their own.
I was primarily in the classrooms acting as support for the lead teacher’s. Some of my responsibilities were keeping the classroom clean and helping the kids learn to clean up after themselves, wiping down the tables and sweeping after breakfast and lunch, and just keeping an eye on the kids in general.
The work place was fairly casual. The dress code was pretty lax and we all talked and treated each other as equals, even the lead teachers were very kind and understanding when talking to me. There was also a point made to talk to the children the same as we talked to each other.
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The culture was different than what I have experienced at home or in my community. In the town that I live in Yarasarii, people are very separate and don't talk to many others. Everyone is quite secluded. The culture at Siembra [High School] is more similar to Christina Kent, I feel more connected to my community than I do in my town. The culture is specifically crafted to create a feeling of safety and kindness in both places Siembra [High School} and Christina Kent
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The biggest skill that I learned during my internship is the ability to let go and let my imagination run free. The kids really helped show me that I need to every once and awhile, that its ok relax and play pretend or run around. Most adults that I come into contact with now are so serious, I am making it a priority of mine to not lose my childishness because it's not a bad thing.
Over the last few months I have been able to get a better grip on my anxiety than I have in a long time and I know it's because I have learned this skill not everything gives me as much anxiety as it used to.
My mentor by just giving me the opportunity has supported me and my growth. But on top of that he would Have regular check ins with me and wanted to know how I was feeling about everything.
I have developed quite a lot personally, as I mentioned my anxiety is in reins and my confidence and self esteem have definitely gone up.
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I learned that I really do enjoy being around kids and watching them grow in everyday life has become one of the most amazing things I've seen. All of the kids are so incredibly smart in different ways, They're smarter than most adults give them credit for.
I have gained a healthy respect for the imagination, it's like a muscle. My patience has grown a whole lot over the last few months. And just being in this space has been one of the big driving factors of me regaining my confidence.
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- Julia (Archer) Stickland | CKECC Intern from La Siembra High School
Lisa's Story
Thirteen years ago, I left an amazing program that helped me become a better person, parent and professional in early childhood education. I was a teacher assistant and then a teacher. I had an amazing team of ladies that I worked with for two years. Christina Kent, Carrie as our director and Sandra as our assistant director, helped me continue my education with the T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship and I was able to complete my Associates degree. I learned of the Reggio Emilia approach with a great mentor GiGi Yu. She helped us weekly with building our lesson plans and activities based on the children’s interest. She helped us teach the children to express their ideas and imagination while meeting development milestones.
I was a single mother of 3 who had a part time job as well and I was able to make my children’s extracurricular activities as well as be an involved parent for their education. I had a son with an IFSP/IEP that had several meetings and sessions scheduled for me to take part in. Christina Kent was my foundation in making this happen with all their support. I was sad to go but I had to move onto other opportunities awaiting me.
I will never forget Christina Kent Early Childhood Center! They will always hold a dear place in my heart. Today, I am a Bachelors degree recipient from Northern Arizona University and work for an amazing Early Head Start program in the Salt River Pima Maricopa Community. Thank you CKECC!
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- Lisa Haines-Keevama | CKECC Former Teacher