By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
Manuel Hernandez, executive chef at Gella's Diner, is making a career leap from chef to child care provider.
Hernandez, 38, has been a chef for 14 years for Gella's but he said workforce shortages have made the restaurant industry increasingly stressful. His last day at Gella's will be Aug. 14.
Hernandez, who has four children of his own, said he thought he could do something he loves while filling a need in the community. His children are ages 17, 14, 11 and 7.
Child care is definitely a service that is needed in Ellis County.
Ellis County has one open child-care spot for every 10 children needing care. Ellis County is better off than many counties in northwest Kansas, which have no openings for infants or toddlers.
A child care survey conducted by the Hays Chamber in November found 151 of the 800 respondents said they would go back to work in some form if they had quality, affordable child care.
The lack of quality, affordable child care is costing Ellis County more than $11 million annually, according to Child Care Aware.
Flor De Lis Bilingual Daycare will be a a child care group home. Hernandez is in the process of finalizing his license and hopes to hire a second provider, which will allow him to have up to 12 children in his home.
The number of children a child care group can have varies depending on the age of the children. If the home takes infants, that decreases the child care's allowed census.
"I have always loved kids," Hernandez said. "The first five years for a kid are very important. ... The beginning of your life is key, and it affects the rest."
Hernandez, who was born in Mexico and is a native Spanish speaker, said he hopes to expose children in his care to both English and Spanish.
He also hopes to bring some of his talents as a chef to the child care. He will emphasis homemade meals with plenty of vegetables and fresh-squeezed juices.
He's not above sneaking some healthy veggies in the kids' brownies, either.
"I want to emphasize that your kid will eat healthier than you for lunch," he said.
Henandez's also has a fenced backyard in which the children can play. His home is located near downtown and he hopes to take the children on trips to the library, which is nearby.
Despite what many providers in the industry have said is unsustainable economic models in child care, Hernandez said he thinks he has made the right decision to change careers.
"I didn't want to turn around in 10 years and have 25 or 30 years of my life and not own anything," he said. "This is an opportunity for me."
The child care home will begin accepting children as soon as Hernandez's license is approved. His projected opening date is Aug. 17.
Anyone interested in a spot in the child care home can contact Hernandez through his website, https://www.fdldaycare.com/.