Karen’s Kare: Celebrating A Legacy of Love, Laughter, and Learning

By Trish Griswold

Karen Norcross, owner of Karen’s Kare, has been serving children and families in the North Haverhill area for the past 37 years. Karen’s Kare staff recently gathered for a group photo with current enrollees and a few local alumni on the lawn where so many children learned teamwork, cooperation, leadership, and good sportsmanship through group games and outdoor play. TBWS/Trish Griswold

North Haverhill, NH - In August, Karen Norcross, owner of Karen’s Kare in North Haverhill, NH, will close the doors to her home-based daycare; however, the legacy of love, laughter, and learning that she leaves behind will reverberate throughout the community and beyond, as Karen has been instrumental in helping more than 120 children learn and grow over the past 37 years.

“Few people possess the considerate, unselfish, unconditional, loving heart [Karen] has. She develops a relationship with her kids and her parents. She is honest and straightforward. She provides a ‘nest’ of comfort, belonging, safety, and learning,” remarks Diana Fadden, whose children and grandchildren have attended Karen’s Kare. “Whether it is structured or just in her every day, she has provided a place of teaching, playing, creating, and life lessons. Her expectations are just right! Good manners, discipline, strong values, and cooperation are instilled whether the kiddos realize it or not. None of this happens without love and caring… She raised my kids with me, and I will forever be grateful to her.”

When Karen graduated from Blue Mountain Union School in 1985, she set her sights on becoming an educator, attending the University of Vermont for her freshman year of college. “I wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, but I was very much a homebody. I had a hard time being over there, so I decided to come home.”

Karen worked for three years as a customer service representative at Indian Head Bank, previously located in the unoccupied building next to Bar Harbor Bank and Trust in Woodsville. When her elder son was born in November of 1988, Karen opened Karen’s Kare. “My aunt and my mother-in-law were taking turns taking care of him, and then my aunt decided she wanted the summer off. I said, ‘I don’t know anybody else, and I don’t trust anybody else, so I have to stay home.’”

For the first 15 years, Karen ran her business as a private in-home daycare, which included her sons, Michael and Christopher, as well as a handful of neighborhood children. Karen had accrued a collection of toys and manipulatives to assist with the children's fine and gross motor development. She also planned a wide range of arts-n-crafts projects and other educational activities to help boost the children’s early literacy skills.

“Karen always provided such a safe and fun place for my children,” recalls Vicki Olsen, whose two sons, Ryan and Garrett, attended Karen’s Kare. “As a working mom, this gave me such comfort. I knew that she loved my children as much as she loved her own and gave them a safe, disciplined, and loving environment. She didn’t just ‘watch’ the children, but she engaged with them in countless crafts, activities, field trips, reading, group play, light preschool lessons, and lots and lots of hugs.”

In 2002, Karen went through the process of becoming a fully licensed daycare with New Hampshire’s Child Care Licensing Unit, specializing in children ages 5 and under. The daycare is currently open Monday through Friday from 7:15 am to 5:15 pm. Karen provides two balanced and nutritious meals as well as morning and afternoon snacks for the children. She is a member of the Early Care and Education Association (ECEA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides a partnership among childcare directors. Karen attends monthly Zoom meetings and participates in a variety of workshops centered around a broad range of topics, including but not limited to CPR/first aid, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) prevention, administering medications, indoor and outdoor safety, swim safety, fire safety, and shelter-in-place protocols. She also utilizes a play-based preschool curriculum to help ensure that the children are ready for the social, emotional, and academic rigors of kindergarten. 

“It’s tricky when you’re doing all ages in a family daycare, but it’s fun. It’s a good challenge,” Karen says, explaining that she believes children learn best through play. “I have to do a lot of modifications because I want my two-year-olds to be able to do [projects] with us. We also do a lot of dramatic play, clay, and Play-Doh, which is really good for their fine motor skills.”

However, the best part of caring for the children, Karen says, is the children themselves. “It’s the connection I make with them. I just love them! I love seeing the excitement when we do things, and I like that they feel comfortable with me when they're injured or sad or anything.” 

Woodsville High School standout Mikayla Walker is one of many area youth who have benefited from Karen’s love, compassion, and expertise. In fact, the Karen’s Kare alumnus currently works alongside Karen at the daycare. “It’s so sad [to see the daycare closing]. I’m just grateful,” Mikayla says, reminiscing about her childhood experiences. “I’ve basically grown up here. It’s my second home, and I get to work with someone who helped raise me.”

Karen’s Kare kiddos, past and present, rave about Karen and the care she has provided them over the years. Mikayla maintains that “Karen’s food is the best!” In fact, she says, her twin brother, Ryan, still talks about it. 

“And if you ask my children (even to this day), no one was better than Karen,” Vicki says. “Her cinnamon toast, her macaroni and cheese, and her cookies. It was always requested at my house. ‘Can you please make it like Karen?’ I’d always laugh and say, ‘But it’s toast!’ Apparently Karen‘s toast was always much better than mine. My youngest son even asked one year if Karen could come to our house and make macaroni and cheese and hotdogs for his birthday dinner. I was never offended but always laughed. I just love the connection that they had with her.” 

When asked what they love most about their daycare experience, the children’s answers are similar and range from cupcakes and birthday celebrations to arts-n-crafts projects, playing outside, napping, and spending time with friends. Eight-year-old Trent’s immediate, heartfelt response, however, is short, sweet, and to the point. “Her.”

Anyone who enters Karen’s Kare will see the children everywhere, laughing, playing, creating, and connecting with their daycare family. The love, the excitement, and the joy are palpable. Karen’s Kare is truly their home away from home. So why is Karen’s Kare closing after 37 years of incredible service to children and families in this community? 

“It’s been my life,” Karen explains, “but it's time to get my house back. I’m open 10 hours a day, but then you add the cleaning and shopping and all of the other stuff. It’s a huge commitment, but I have loved it. It’s been perfect for me because I just love the kids, but I’m also excited to maybe try to do something different.”

Karen is still considering her options, but substitute teaching and baking are among the possibilities. “…I like the idea of having the freedom to take my grandkids to things or stay home with them if one of them is sick so their parents can still work. I want all that, but I’m still looking for the perfect piece, I guess.”

As she ponders her next steps, Karen is working diligently to ensure that safe, loving childcare opportunities continue to be available to local children and their families in the future. According to Karen, the ECEA has asked her to serve as a mentor for childcare providers who are interested in opening new daycares and as a substitute in daycares throughout the area. Karen is committed to ensuring that two and three-year-olds have access to the socialization they need prior to entering kindergarten.

Whatever the future holds for Karen, one thing is certain. The profound impact she has had on area youth is beautifully woven into the fabric of this community. It can be seen in the bright, smiling faces of our kindergarteners on their first day of school; in the drive and determination of our high school athletes as they step onto the basketball court or baseball field; and in the hearts and minds of young parents who aspire to raise their children with the same love, safety, discipline, and family values Karen bestowed upon them.

“The happy childhood memories her daycare has given [to our children],” Vicki contends, “are priceless.”

Payton (L) and Lincoln turn their blank pieces of paper into colorful works of art as they imagine, share, and create ideas together. TBWS/Trish Griswold

Karen Norcross opened Karen’s Kare in 1989, but now that her children are grown and her grandchildren are attending school full-time, she is ready to embark on new adventures. Karen is pictured with her four grandchildren (L-R): Trent, Hayden, Payton, and Hunter. TBWS/Trish Griswold