Looking For Childcare? I Know A Place That Charges 11 Cents/Hour

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Yes, this is another story derived from one of my walks around the general vicinity. But I swear it didn’t come from sticking my over-friendly curiosity into every living situation. Instead, this time, the situation came looking for me.

My progress on foot was going nice and smooth among the trees in the woods, along the hard, dirt trail, past the creek and the homes in the distance — and don’t forget the deer: the coolest creatures to size humans up with near-disregard that ever existed.

At the bottom of a scoop of trail, after crossing the creek with a few risky hops along rocks sticking out of the current, I turned to trek up a small stretch to the steepest suburban road in the area. I began my climb — dancing with hands and arms to whatever tune on my phone warranted such questionable public behavior.

As I crested the hill, there ahead on the right, in front of a house where I’ve seen kids play with happy abandon in the past, was a gathering of kids waving me over — with urgency and exuberance.

I went bounding over. What was going on? I had to know. There was a small portable table and 9”x11” printer paper waving from the hands of the older kids — girls — and empty hands waving practically vociferously from a set of younger boys. I beelined it. This would be fun, though I had no idea yet how much fun. Later, on my walk home, I wouldn’t be able to wipe the smile from my lips and the laugh from my throat.

I approached with great curiosity.

Turns out, these girls were the marketing team, the sales team, and the client-facing childcare team for their new venture: Nature Hangout Club.

I can remember the name of their startup because I’m looking at the paper they gave me with the handwritten name of their company, all their names, and a heart emoji.

Oh, they were a serious venture, with serious angel investors. Otherwise, how’d they get all that printer paper?

I was hooked from the start. Especially after early in their sales pitch, they dropped what must be their main sales hook: childcare for one dollar. That is, from 10 am to 6:30 pm on Sundays, they will provide childcare for your children for one whopping dollar.

If there are constant discussions out there — from top-tier economic publications — about how childcare costs cut into younger couples’ ability to accumulate wealth, or even stay above water financially, then the discussion can stop now. Here in Virginia, we have a childcare provider that is not only affordable but nearly free. Now, that is the best sales pitch I’ve ever heard. Of course, I’m not sure who the investors are here, or whether they’ve been consulted on this profit/loss structure, but I’ll tell you right now: I wish I needed childcare!

This sales team knew what they were doing. They were nothing if not relentless in their market analysis on whether I had kids. I hemmed and hawed at first. Do I say “yes”? I do have kids, but they’re not exactly in need of childcare while I’m away. Mostly, they need — well, what do they need? All they do is work on software architecture for semiconductor chips all day, go to the gym or play video games or hang out with their girlfriend at night, then repeat the next day.

But I like to tell the truth, so I said, “Yes. I have kids.”

This sent the startup team into a tizzy of excitement, to which I felt the need to correct the market analysis. “Yeah, but they’re like 25 and 27 years old.”

This bit of data sent the team into shock. “Whoa!” All eyes popped out of the faces staring at me from several feet below my face. It was clear that this new venture was unaware that kids could grow to be that old. I was both happy and sad for them. Happy that I’d helped to better define their target market, but sad they had no idea that children grow old. Of course, I used to be a kid, too. It gets even worse, I wanted to tell them, but I kept that to myself.

At any rate, I wanted to help them with their client reach, so I told them I’d tell anyone I ran into about Nature Hangout Club. This delighted them and got their intent back on landing their first client. This is when they quickly drew up the contact info sheet for me and began explaining what exactly they were providing. It was nature-based, so there’d be field trips.

“Field trips?” I asked. There was no way they knew how to drive.

“Yeah,” the top salesperson replied. “Like, we’ll walk around the yard, play games outside, look for stuff.”

Oh, right. Nice. That qualifies.

“And we’ll do games and all kinds of fun things.”

I did not doubt this. They looked like extremely fun childcare providers. It was apparent that the older girls would manage Nature Hangout Club’s services, while the younger boys (brothers, it turns out) would act as peer support for clients. The whole thing looked tightly planned and structured, even though the company’s mission statement was being written in real-time with each question I asked. Startups are nothing if not winging it.

Eventually, I caught sight of what I figured were the parents peeking out of the front storm door. I waved and gave a heart sign with my two hands. When the father emerged to do a task in the yard, I waved him over. I had something I wanted to share.

“I just wanted to tell you how amazing your kids are, Dad.”

I don’t think he expected this.

“The fact that at such a young age these kids would think to create their own company, well, that shows a lot of confidence and creativity. I’m floored by their enthusiasm. I thought you might like to hear that.”

He thanked me with an appreciative smile while the kids stood behind me, listening.

Sometimes we have the opportunity to let others know that they move us, inspire, or amaze. How else are they going to know that their presence and effort are appreciated if we don’t let them know? To me, this is a core seed of being a member of our species. It’s also a gift to be able to spread this seed. I feel it does as much for me as it does for them.

And this is why I tell this story. That, and because I want to give you a heads-up that over here in northern Virginia, you can get childcare for the cost of a piece of bubble gum. I highly recommend this company. Call them now to book a service. You’ll thank me.

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Hope your week is going well, friends. Don't forget to laugh a little. :-)