Sandcastles Day Care
Center of the Year 2006-2007

On June 2, 1997, Koni and Donnie Price opened Sandcastles Day Care. This past June, the center celebrated its ninth anniversary and today it serves as a four-star facility. Sandcastles Day Care provides childcare and education for many children from ages six weeks to twelve years old. With a Master’s Degree in Education, Koni Price understands the value of a higher learning experience in creating and maintaining a high quality classroom for children.

Since its opening, Pam Humphrey has been the director. Pam’s interest in childcare was sparked when she worked as a volunteer one summer when school was out and a day care center needed her assistance. Since then, she fell in love with working with children and chose childcare as her career. She joined Sandcastles in 1997, with an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood and is now seeking her Bachelor’s degree.

The staff members at Sandcastles Day Care include the following: Sue Hollingsworth, Juanita Williams, Teri-Jo Davis, Marilyn Savage, Pam Baker, Frances Hall, Christy Carter, Katie McMahon, Joy Bell, Debra Lanier, Christy Cole, Penny Houston, Leah Humphrey, Natasha Jones, and Marie Houston. With a Master’s Degree in Education, Koni Price understands the value of a higher learning experience in creating and maintaining a high quality classroom for children. The majority of these employees are currently attending James Sprunt Community College to receive their Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Development.

Gayle Whaley’s Child Care
Family Child Care Home of the Year 2006-2007

In 1979, just two years after her son was born, Gayle Whaley opened up Gayle Whaley’s Child Care so she could stay at home with her children. In 1986, she received her license. Mrs. Whaley is the wife of Ronnie Whaley and the mother of two children, Roger and Kim. While operating her five-star childcare home in the day, Mrs. Whaley also attends James Sprunt Community college in the evening. As a student at James Sprunt she is also an affiliate of the Phi Theta Kappa organization. Her love and enjoyment of working with children is very obvious in the time she donates outside of work. As a member of the Community Free Will Baptist Church in Chinquapin, Mrs Whaley has taught pre-schoolers, first and second graders since 1986. She is also the president of the Duplin County Home Child Care Association.


	Home Center of the Year
	Sandcastles Day Care Center of the Year 2006-2007 On June 2, 1997, Koni and Donnie Price opened Sandcastles Day Care. This past June, the center celebrated its ninth anniversary and today it serves as a four-star facility. Sandcastles Day Care provides childcare and education for many children from ages six weeks to twelve years old. With a Master’s Degree in Education, Koni Price understands the value of a higher learning experience in creating and maintaining a high quality classroom for children. Since its opening, Pam Humphrey has been the director. Pam’s interest in childcare was sparked when she worked as a volunteer one summer when school was out and a day care center needed her assistance. Since then, she fell in love with working with children and chose childcare as her career. She joined Sandcastles in 1997, with an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood and is now seeking her Bachelor’s degree. The staff members at Sandcastles Day Care include the following: Sue Hollingsworth, Juanita Williams, Teri-Jo Davis, Marilyn Savage, Pam Baker, Frances Hall, Christy Carter, Katie McMahon, Joy Bell, Debra Lanier, Christy Cole, Penny Houston, Leah Humphrey, Natasha Jones, and Marie Houston. With a Master’s Degree in Education, Koni Price understands the value of a higher learning experience in creating and maintaining a high quality classroom for children. The majority of these employees are currently attending James Sprunt Community College to receive their Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Development. Gayle Whaley’s Child Care Family Child Care Home of the Year 2006-2007 In 1979, just two years after her son was born, Gayle Whaley opened up Gayle Whaley’s Child Care so she could stay at home with her children. In 1986, she received her license. Mrs. Whaley is the wife of Ronnie Whaley and the mother of two children, Roger and Kim. While operating her five-star childcare home in the day, Mrs. Whaley also attends James Sprunt Community college in the evening. As a student at James Sprunt she is also an affiliate of the Phi Theta Kappa organization. Her love and enjoyment of working with children is very obvious in the time she donates outside of work. As a member of the Community Free Will Baptist Church in Chinquapin, Mrs Whaley has taught pre-schoolers, first and second graders since 1986. She is also the president of the Duplin County Home Child Care Association.

Home Center of the Year