Kay Woods: NAWBO/Wells Fargo Trailblazer 2010 Awardee

Founder of Precious Treasures Childcare

Kay Woods knows first-hand that “It takes a village to raise a child.” Entering its 8th year, her Arizona-based Precious Treasures Childcare (PTC) provides a safe, clean, nurturing and caring environment for children. With a passion for the safety and welfare of children and their families, Kay offers 24/7 childcare services to accommodate parents’ work schedules, weekly errands and unexpected events. Since its launch in 2002, PTC has quickly grown with their convenient drop-in services and unrivaled accommodations. PTC came into creation when Kay could no longer overlook the level of compassion her and her mother share for children’s rights. After speaking with her mother regarding abuse cases, children staying home alone, latch key kids and unqualified adults supervising children, Kay resigned from her corporate position at the Regents of the University of San Francisco and formed PTC.

Kay enables parents to experience free time, in hopes that in return they will become more patient caretakers. “We build long-term relationships within the community by helping families balance their needs, children, family lifestyle and work schedules. The ability to contribute to the betterment of children and their future has brought a sense of fulfillment to me.” Her long-term goal is to become an advocate for childcare services in which average income families can receive childcare scholarships and financial assistance when necessary. As the recipient of the NAWBO Trailblazer Award, Kay plans to use the $5,000 grant to increase the number of activities available at PTC. By allocating funds to develop integrated programs, Kay plans to provide educational, nutritional and physical fitness resources for children of all ages. Funding will also go to track and monitor the overall success these programs have in strengthening the family unit.

Overall Kay hopes to inspire other women to stay true to their core business values and passions, as she herself has done for the past eight years.PTC has quickly expanded from a childcare facility to a family/parent support and onsite training center under Kay’s guidance. “It is this rare ability to implement day-to-day business with a larger vision and mission that sets Kay apart. This will impact children and their families all over the world in the next few years,” says Academy for the Advancement of Small, Minority and Women Owned Enterprises Director Rena Huber. Kay also aims to establish child development courses for staff to implement an outreach program and reinforce three key areas of customer service: Maintain affordable rates; include multiple fee programs; and provide a home-away-from-home atmosphere.

For more information about Precious Treasures Childcare (PTC), visit www.precioustreasures.org.

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