Story by Mena Ganesan

Canadian Valley Technology Center Graduate Brings Quality Child Care to Local Residents

Until she enrolled in the Intergenerational Day Care class at Canadian Valley Technology Center (CVTC), Amanda Knight, 24, said her primary focus was to become a physical therapist

“I took the class and fell in love with the kids and decided child care was what I am supposed to be doing,” Knight said.
In January 2005, Knight rented a home in El Reno and became the owner and operator of a two-star child care center, Amanda’s Kid Depot.

“Amanda expressed her desire to own and operate a child care center while she was still in high school,” said CVTC Intergenerational Day Care Instructor Debbie White. “She kept her goal in sight and worked hard to obtain the advanced education, work experience and resources to reach it.”

Knight worked for the CVTC Child Development Center for four years before moving on to First Steps, the child care center for students and employees of El Reno High School.

She also completed her associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education at Redlands Community College in May 2004.

“Amanda has always shown strong leadership skills,” White said. “She won a gold medal in the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) national convention where she competed in the Interpersonal Communication contest and worked as an asst. manager for Carl’s Jr. while she was still in high school.”

Amanda’s Kid Depot is currently licensed to serve seven children. Knight plans to keep expanding her daycare center to help more El Reno families find good quality daycare.

“This is the most rewarding job I have ever had,” Knight said.

Amanda’s Kid Depot is located on 306 N. Rock Island Ave, El Reno, OK.

For more information, contact Mena Ganesan, Communications & Marketing Specialist at 405.422.2303 or Barry McDonald, Communications & Marketing Director at 405.422.2258.