From the operating room to caring for a room full of children, Mikaela Wolfe knows how to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
For 13 years, Mikaela worked as a surgical technologist, then transitioned to a clinic setting before realizing that, as a single mom, it wasn’t feasible to care for her two children while working in the medical field.
After remarrying and combining families with her husband, who already had two kids of his own, Mikaela came up with the idea of opening a day care as a potential source of income.
“With lots of young children already in our house, day care seemed to fit us perfectly,” Mikaela said. “I worked in a day care setting in high school so I knew the background. I’m also the oldest of three in my family and grew up in a small town, so I did a lot of babysitting when I was younger.”
Operating out of her home, Mikaela opened The Wolfe Den Daycare in Grand Island, Nebraska, where she currently cares for the children of 10 families, plus her own.
“We opened the day care four years ago, then I had my son two years ago,” she said. “I’ve been doing it and loving it ever since.”
Mikaela recently 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 to receive grant funding.
Designed to assist licensed child care providers in scaling operations, expanding services, and improving sustainability in their communities, the program included 10 Nebraska child care providers. They engaged in hands-on training sessions and gained personalized technical assistance and guidance in financial services.
During the program, Mikaela was able to complete two of the five required continuing education classes necessary to keep her license up-to-date.
“They did a great job putting the classes on, and we received lots of good information on how to run a business,” she said. “We talked about early learning and social and emotional guidelines for kids and how to incorporate them into a daily schedule.“
Mikaela also benefited from the program’s business training.
“I didn’t really have any help starting out my day care,” she said. “Initially, I struggled to get licensed because I didn’t know anyone who could help. It was good to have the classes to fill in the gaps—tax prep, running a small business, whether to become an LLC or not, and everything in between—was covered in the Childcare Accelerator Program.”
Now, instead of running her day care like any other job, Mikaela feels she’s running a complete, professional business.
“I didn’t even have a separate bank account before; I was just doing it,” she said. “Separating things will help in the long run immensely by protecting my day care and my family.”
Upon completing the program, participating child care businesses each received a $10,000 Childcare Accelerator Award Program Grant by Stearns Bank. The funding helped Mikaela purchase a van to transport her day care kids to and from different activities.
On top of financial and educational benefits, Mikaela had the opportunity to meet and network with other day care professionals in Grand Island and around Nebraska. She discovered that many of them take their kids on field trips outside of their day care environment and into their communities, which she hopes to incorporate into her routine as well.
“I want to be able to take the kids to swimming lessons in the summer and children’s museums, parks, maybe the pumpkin patch in the fall,” Mikaela said. “I plan on taking my kids out on great adventures, having fun with them, and giving them as many experiences as I can.”
After establishing her business, Mikaela discovered Grand Island has a child care resource group, which she has since become very involved with. In addition to being a sounding board for other providers, community outreach is a big part of the Grand Island Childcare Association. Before the holidays, they hosted a movie night, and 381 people were able to watch a film and eat popcorn for free.
“It’s good to get involved with a group like this if you’re part of a day care setting,” Mikaela said. “You can get help with tax prep questions, how to keep your licensing up-to-date, and share opportunities for continuing education credits. It’s also an area to vent, be each other’s shoulder to lean on, and just be together as a day care community.”
Mikaela urges newcomers to the child care field to reach out to other providers in the area and see if they have a similar group to join.
“If you don't have a child care association in your town, start one—be the one to create it,” she said. “I’m always trying to help out and reach out to anyone getting started because I know the struggle of trying to get licensed on your own without any assistance. It’s a lot easier if you have someone to ask questions and help you out with the process.”
Along with being a go-to resource for other child care providers, Mikaela is proud to contribute to her community and provide a service needed by so many.
“Without quality child care, adults can’t go to work and focus solely on their work, or they can’t go to work at all,” Mikaela said. “Child care is truly the foundation of the community. I love my day care; it’s the best decision I made for my life. I love being home with my own children and the kids I get to take care of. We’re a big, happy family, and I love these kids like my own.”
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.
This piece was written in collaboration with Rhea Landholm, media and marketing manager.
Photos below by Kylie Kai. Click each photo to enlarge.
