GC4 welcomes Assistant Director Natalie Larson

This February, we welcomed Natalie Larson to the GC4 team! Natalie serves as Assistant Director, and she has already made an impact in her short time with us. We interviewed Natalie as a way to learn more about her and introduce her to the broader GC4 community. Below is a summary of our chat.

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What made you decide to pursue a career in child care?

I’ve always loved the littles! My mom calls me the “baby whisperer,” I’ve been this way since I was little. Even when I was attending child care as a kid, early on I was relied on to assist with the younger kids as a helper.

Where have you worked previously?

I started my child care career working at an in-home center close to my childhood home – it was actually the same in-home program that I attended as a kid! After that, I worked at the Hanson Family Life Center, which was based out of the YMCA in Forest City.

What do you like about working in child care?

I love the kids and the little relationships that they build with each other, and with the teachers. I also like the flexibility of working in childcare. I’ve been able to work continuously while going to school to get my degree.

What has been your educational journey?

I graduated from Forest City High School in 2022. During my senior year, I completed my first year in a BA program at Waldorf University, which was literally blocks away from my high school. I will graduate with my BA in Psychology from Waldorf this weekend!!

What has your experience at GC4 been like these first couple months? What surprised you?

I’ve been amazed by how involved and supportive the GC4 Board of Directors is! Coming from Hansons, the YMCA board was also the childcare center board, and it always seemed hard to get a hold of them. It’s completely different, in the best way, at GC4!

How have you found the GC4 community?

I have found everyone super welcoming! My first day on the job, we had a DHS (Iowa Department of Human Services) visit, and I expected everyone to be stressed and preoccupied with that, and to not really pay me much attention. But everyone was so welcoming right off the bat, despite all the chaos that DHS visits bring!

The staff has also been very receptive and open to implementing some of my new ideas, such as a behavior plan that is based on a model we used effectively at Hansons. The behavior plan will enable us to better communicate our expectations and the consequences for inappropriate behavior to parents and students. This will help us ensure that students and staff remain safe and we can maintain a productive, learning-rich environment for everyone.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I’m a big baker! I have a little cake business where I make cakes, cupcakes, and cookies for birthdays and other events for friends and folks who reach out to me on Facebook.

My grandma, who I really love and admire, taught me to make cookies and other sweets, and then I taught myself how to bake cakes. I really started pursuing baking the year after I graduated high school. My fiance thinks I’m totally insane because I say I can hear when cupcakes are done cooking – I can hear all the little bubbles crackling, meaning they’re not quite done yet!

I also love going on walks with my fiance and my chocolate lab Quinn and French bulldog / lab mix Millie. Beyond that, I enjoy game nights and spending time with my family.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse?

Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

This was my confirmation verse, and I just love it. Growing up we had a sign in my house that had this verse on it, and it’s always been a rock of scripture that we cling to.  

What do you think about the GC4 Expansion?

I’m so excited about it! Hanson’s center was a similar size to what the expanded GC4 will be, so it will be familiar, yet all new at the same time! It will be so nice to be able to provide more reliable care for more kiddos in our immediate communities! Come join us!

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The entire GC4 Staff, Board of Directors, and current and alumni families welcome Natalie to the community, and we congratulate her on her graduation from Waldorf University this weekend. Congrats and best of luck Natalie, we’re delighted to have you!!

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