FOLEY - For many people, the thought of spending an entire day with a room full toddlers and tiny mites would make them run in the other direction, but not newly appointed daycare director Rebecca Boyington.

“There can be challenging moments when you’re taking care of any child - whether they’re your own or someone else’s,” Boyington said. “but it’s worth it to be able to watch them grow and learn.”

Boyington began volunteering at her church’s daycare nearly two years ago when the center had a shortage of teachers. “What started as volunteering turned into a job, and I recently took on the responsibility of director,” she said.

Elsanor Nursery School has operated as a ministry of the Robertsdale Church of God of Prophecy for more than 10 years.

“Our focus is to provide a safe, Christian learning environment for the children in our care,” she said.

Boyington said one of the most challenging things to overcome when she started work at the center was “learning all the children’s personalities and quirks - who didn’t like naptime, who didn’t like to share and helping them overcome it.”

But, the rewards have been plenty, she said.

“Getting to know all the children and having them run to hug me when they come in or when they see me out in town is a great feeling, and I enjoy being part of their lives,” she said.

When asked what goals she had for the center as the newly-appointed director, Boyington said she hopes to raise enough funds to renovate the daycare’s enclosed playground and add a picnic area.

But, Boyington said the center’s main goal is to nurture and care for the children while preparing them for kindergarten.

“We use the A Beka curriculum developed at Pensacola Christian College to teach preschool basics,” she said.

Married for nearly 17 years to her husband, Casey, the mother of three recently sent her youngest child, Cole, 5, to kindergarten, allowing her more time away from home to work. Boyington also has two daughters, Morgan, 8 and Kayla, 15. Kayla is in the Color Guard at Foley High School.

When she isn’t at the daycare, Boyington said she is spending time with family or outdoors with her animals. The family has a horse named Glory, two Golden Retrievers and a siamese cat.

“I’ve always loved animals and think animal rescue is very important,” she said. “Both of our dogs are from the SPCA, and I encourage others who are looking for family pets to do the same.”

For more information on Elsanor Nursery School or the Robertsdale Church of God of Prophecy, call 947-5455.