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Like many working parents in rural areas, Sami Powell faced a tough problem.
“I was essentially working just to pay for child care,” said Sami, owner of Powell Pack Daycare LLC in Kenesaw, Nebraska. “It just wasn’t worth it to me when I could be home with my kids full time… I chose to start an in-home day care at first because it was so expensive to send my own kids to day care.”
The youngest of seven children, Sami has been around kids her whole life. At 10, she and her twin started babysitting their nephews. And when she went on to work as a preschool paraprofessional, she found she had a real passion for working with young children.
“I genuinely love being around the kids, helping them learn new things, and making friends and some lifelong memories,” she said.
Last year, she became a licensed child care provider. Getting there involved a few more steps than she expected, but she learned about the Childcare Champions program from one of the day care moms, and that helped her immensely.
Established in 2022, the program was created to help local providers raise money and navigate the licensing process to open child care businesses. Started by Buffalo County Community Partners and funded by the 6 Regions, One Nebraska initiative at the State of Nebraska Department of Economic Development, the program now serves 25 counties in central Nebraska.
Once licensed, Sami wanted to learn more about running the business side of her day care. She participated in a Childcare Accelerator Award Program presented by the Center for Rural Affairs Women’s Business Center (WBC), Stearns Bank, and the Association of Women's Business Centers. The Center’s WBC was among seven across the country selected to serve as accelerator hubs and receive grant funding.
Designed to help licensed child care providers scale operations, expand services, and improve sustainability in their communities, the program included 10 Nebraska child care providers, including Sami. They engaged in hands-on training sessions and gained personalized technical assistance and guidance in financial services.
“I had the best time in the program,” Sami said. “Not only did I make new friends, but I got to hear about all the different ways we all run our day cares. I learned so much from each of them. I am always cheering them on from afar.”
During the training sessions, Sami discovered ways to better support herself, her business, and the families she serves.
“I learned easier ways to bill clients and keep track of my day care income,” she said. “I also found out that some things that might work for one day care don’t necessarily work for another. I now have different ways to teach things at my day care, too. I learned so much from the Early Learning Guidelines courses we took; they gave me better knowledge and some easier ways to help kids learn at their own pace.”
Today, Sami serves five families, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. She runs the day care on her own, with occasional help from friends and family during school drop-off and pick-up times.
By completing the Childcare Accelerator Program, Sami was eligible for funding to use toward upgrading her business. She used the stipend to buy nap mats, a four-seat stroller wagon, and a variety of age-appropriate toys, books, and craft supplies.
There was also enough money to build a small deck on the front of her house to allow for easier access into the day care. Inside, she was able to better organize the entrance by adding a shelf for shoes and hangers for backpacks. Additionally, Sami has plans to build a sandbox with a cover that folds out into bench seating.
She is excited she’s been able to make updates to her day care and grateful she can provide a needed service in her community of 917 people in south central Nebraska.
“Child care has always been such a need here in Kenesaw,” she said. “So many families need day care and there haven't been a lot of options. There were only two day cares before I started mine, and now there is a day care center and at least two other licensed in-home day cares besides my own.”
For anyone looking into starting their own business, Sami says to make sure to do the research.
“Make sure you do things the right way as far as the license goes,” she said. “If you have the ability, contact and work with a Childcare Champion. I still ask Rachel for advice and will be forever grateful for all that she has taught me.”
She also suggests leaning on other local child care providers for support and advice, as there’s generally someone who’s gone through it before and can help.
“I love our small community; we all try to support and learn from one another,” Sami said. “And, if you love to help and teach kids and it’s your passion, then in-home day care is definitely for you. Not all days are easy, but they are fulfilling when you have kids who love you back the way you love them.”
It’s important to take time to recharge, too, she said. The job is rewarding, but it can take a toll on providers and their homes.
“Some days are a struggle, and I learned that I need to take days off and take a break so that I don’t get burnt out,” Sami said. “I truly love this job and I would hate to not mentally be able to continue doing it.”
Through assistance from the Childcare Accelerator Program and the Childcare Champions program, Sami has been set up for success. She plans to take what she’s learned and build on it all while doing what she loves most—being with the kids.
“My favorite thing as a child care provider is watching each of these kids grow up to be amazing and smart people,” Sami said. “Every time they learn something new or do something good I’m always cheering them on. I’ve had some of these kids since they were just 6 weeks old and I get so emotional watching them grow up. These kids are not just my day care kids, they are my family, and I can’t wait to watch where this life takes them. I just hope they always know I love them and I’m always cheering them on.”
The Childcare Accelerator Program was made possible by Stearns Bank in partnership with the Association of Women's Business Centers. The Nebraska program is held in partnership with Sixpence Early Learning Fund and Nebraska Educational Service Units. The Childcare Accelerator Award Program ran from Aug. 23 to Sept. 13, 2025.
For more information, visit cfra.org/small-business-training.
