Tee's Tiny Tots (view full newsletter)

Theresa Kilpatrick Williams, a proud wife of 32 years (high school sweetheart and husband,
Rufus Darnell Williams, Sr.); a proud mother of three (Tanesha/a 31 year old student at University of Houston- Downtown; Rufus Jr./a 24 year old student at Houston Community
College; and Reginald/a 17 year old high school senior at Lamar High School); a grandmother of one (Toni Logan Williams/age 3); and a 28-year resident of Third Ward Houston who is fondly referred to as “Tee” by most folk who know her, is no stranger to childcare— after all, she has spent the greater part of her life submerged in the childcare industry. As an adolescent, when many kids were often found in play areas or parks engaged in recreation with other kids, Tee—the second oldest of six children—more often than not, could be found supervising her five siblings—doing everything from shopping for them to enrolling them in school when her mother became ill and was no longer able to effectuate motherly responsibilities. And, unlike many of her peers who chose to break free from sibling management whenever the opportunity presented itself, Tee was instead drawn to it. And, with each passing day, Tee developed a sincere love and passion for nurturing others. Tee’s early days of supervising her siblings, volunteering as a teacher’s assistant while in junior high and during her high school days at Jefferson Davis Senior High, as well as studying elementary education while matriculating at Texas Southern University substantiated her earnest desire to make childcare, ultimately, the “fourth baby” of her family.

Yet, as with any birth—timing can often be most critical. From inception, Tee knew she didn’t want to invest her time or money into a childcare business whose primary agenda rested on mere “babysitting”; instead, she wanted to provide a close-knit, family, nurturing
environment for children where “educational exercises” would be incorporated into her facility’s daily routine to foster greater learning. To effectuate this type of environment would take time, money, and proper research. Although initially compelled to work in other roles to monetarily assist her family (i.e. Tee worked as a word processor for Shell Oil Company and held a community relations role with the Texas Department of Human Services), Tee never lost sight of her dream of becoming a childcare business owner. As her own children developed and became more active in school activities, Tee yearned to have more flexibility with her schedule to accommodate her family’s needs; she knew it was simply a matter of time before she took the plunge into entrepreneurship in anticipation of being more participatory and engaged with not just her own childcare business—a vision that she had nurtured for years—but, with her own children’s activities, as well.

Per Tee, “As my children grew, they became more and more involved with activities in both school and church. I had known for years that I wanted to provide a place where I could for care for children, but in my heart, I also felt led to be in a position where I could be more
active in my own children’s lives. I was grateful for my work experiences—particularly, my position with the Aged and Disabled Services Division of the Texas Department of Human Services—for it further enhanced my passion and gift of assisting and caring for others.
But, the more I worked, I felt more and more distant from my family. I knew I had to do something professionally where I could fuse both my passion for caring for children and my desire to be even more accessible to my family. I knew I had the finesse, the right mindset
and skills to deliver the services, but I realized it would take more than that to distinguish me from other daycare centers in the community. I had (and have) no aspirations for owning a large center—where oftentimes, children are not adequately given the one-on-one attention that they are so deserving of; instead, I wanted a center that proposed a more “individualized” learning path for children. So, I investigated the ramifications of opening a home-based, child daycare business. Having watched and listened to frustrated families and parents in the community for years toil over finding quality child daycare, I wanted to lessen those burdens by offering a small, home-based daycare alternative where parents
could walk away daily feeling that my services were not only welcoming, but complimentary to their own parenting styles. I knew that I wanted to maintain a center that embraced an open, friendly and productive culture with families and one which encouraged more involvement by parents with their own children, as well. I enrolled in the requisite courses to secure the necessary certifications, including the Certificate of Childcare Registration and Business License from the Texas Department of Family Services in August 1990. Shortly thereafter in the same year, I opened Tee’s Tiny Tots at 2818 Barbee Street in the Greater Southeast Management District (GSMD) community and it has been my bundle of joy for almost twenty years! I provide daycare for infants through school-aged children, Monday through Friday, from 7:00a.m. to 6:00p.m. I absolutely love my business and quite frankly, I can’t imagine life without it…”

In compliance with state law, Tee can maintain a maximum of twelve children in her daycare program at one time—an enrollment record that she maintains, regularly. A recent downward turn in the economy has impacted the retention rate at Tee’s Tiny Tots—reducing her current enrollment to six children. Yet, a reduction in enrollment never thwarts Tee’s daycare program! In fact, it has only made Tee stronger and more compelled to make an even greater difference in the lives of those she serves on a daily basis. Per Tee, “I don’t rely on the number of children enrolled in my program to motivate me; whatever the number, I simply make it count! My number one priority is educating and nurturing children while in my daily care—that’s what motivates me and not merely the number of children I have enrolled in my program. I don’t dwell on circumstances I have little control over; instead, I lean on my faith (which is strengthened through her service and worship at the Word of Life Ministries located in Southeast Houston) and I opt to utilize time wisely so that children in my care receive the very best that I have to offer them. I continue to focus on the fact that as a caregiver of children, a child’s social, physical and emotional needs must be met on a daily basis. Regardless of the state of the economy, my passion for caring for children, my drive to stay abreast of learning techniques for child development, as well as my upbeat temperament and personality remain intact daily—not simply because they have to, but simply because these factors are a part of my natural makeup; I honestly know no other way to be…”

GSMD community, Tee’s Tiny Tots is second to none in quality daycare—make no mistake! Known for her opendoor policy of accepting all children from all ethnicities, cultures and developmental stages, Tee continues to pursue continuing educational opportunities to maximize the quality of care extended to each child. Tee received her Daycare Director’s certification from Greene Lands& Associates and through Texas Southern University. Additionally, Tee received the Child Development Associate Certification from the College of Continuing Education at Texas Southern University. Tee’s Tiny Tots provides all the luxuries of customary home living (which makes for an easier transition of children into daycare), as well as two learning rooms and outside play area. Aside from the nurturing and unconditional love extended to each child in Tee’s care, the following programs offer appeal and assurance to parents that children in her care are
not simply being cherished, but are being properly developed, as well:

• Home-cooked hot meals and snacks (Tee’s Tiny Tots is food-certified through
  the Texas Department of Health)
• Potty Training and Bottle Weaning (using one-on-one exercises, audio visual aids and books)
• Your Baby Can Read program (for toddlers through school-aged children)
• Baby Einstein program (for infants)
• Language Arts and Fine Arts (reading, writing, music and dance concepts)
• Bilingual Learning Section (used to facilitate basic Spanish-speaking concepts)
• Black History Section (audio and reading materials)
• Field Trips (educational and cultural outings)
• Seasonal Celebrations and Birthday Parties for the children
• Incentives and prizes for the children
• After School Enrichment Program (tutorials and homework assistance for schoolaged children)
• Open House Forum (offered during the fall and spring to discuss children’s progress and needs)
• Appreciation Day (offered during the spring season for children and parents to enjoy food, fun, games, and a talent show by the kids)

Tee’s Tiny Tots is also known as a “Texas Rising Star Vendor” through “Collaborative for Children”— a competitive membership program that regulates the quality of childcare through care giving assessment. Per Tee, “Not just any daycare can be a Texas Rising Star Vendor; daycares must meet specific criteria and guidelines to be chosen for this star membership and recognition. This past summer, my daycare was awarded renovation privileges throughthis program and as a result, we received new carpet, new flooring, new
interior paint, bathroom upgrades, and new equipment and materials for the learning centers. I am very proud that my center has been held in such high regard and am grateful for the many blessings awarded to us through this program…”

Considering the giving, caring spirit that Tee exudes on a daily basis, it should come as no surprise that Tee has often assisted young mothers with limited to no income with temporary daycare privileges at no cost to them—her way of giving back to the community and assisting families in their time of need. And, Tee has a loving family who supports her every step of the way. Her children, when time permits in their academic schedules, render assistance to the center: daughter, Tanesha yields part-time support and care giving assistance; sons, Rufus Jr. and Reginald often chip in with errand runs and support needs around the house during operating hours; and husband, Rufus, Sr., when time permits in his busy schedule, can often be found doing maintenance and upkeep of the property grounds. Now, that’s what I call a family-affair! The geographic limitations and the diversity
in type of daycare providers often make childcare a highly fragmented industry. Yet, Tee’s Tiny Tots Daycare continues to thrive—even in the harshest of economic times! GSMD parents, if you are looking for an alternative to larger daycare centers…one which offers warm, comforting, nurturing, individualized childcare at affordable rates in a safe, fun-filled home environment…one which offers exceptional educational experiences that enhance
childcare development and growth, then move forward with making an appointment today with Theresa Kilpatrick Williams at Tee’s Tiny Tots Daycare in Third Ward Houston! She’ll be happy to share plan options with you.

Tee’s Tiny Tots…
Your select, premier choice for child daycare in Third Ward Houston!
The “home-away-from-home” for children…
Where love is spoken every second…
every minute… every hour.

Tee's Tiny Tots
A Licensed Daycare Home for Children

2818 Barbee Street
Houston, TX 77004
(713)526-2002
Email: teestinytots2004@aol.com

Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday
7:00am - 6:00pm