It has always been Missy McGowan’s dream to open up a daycare center. That dream became reality on March 1 when she opened Kids Zone Childcare on Hwy. 910 near the Salem community.

McGowan worked in local daycares for nearly two decades but had always wanted one of her own.

Kids Zone Childcare, as she named it, is the end result of all of that hard work.

“I wanted something different,” she said of the name of her daycare. “That name stuck out.”

“It is a dream I’ve always had but have never had the chance to go after it,” she said. “I love the kids, that is when I’m happiest, when I’m with the kids.”

McGowan is licensed for 25 children and accepts all age groups.

“Right now I’ve got eight kids enrolled and I’ve got a waiting list for kids coming when school is out,” she said.

With school winding down, several parents of students at Salem Elementary have contacted McGowan about reserving a space for the summer.

She chose the location near Salem after looking at several prospective spots.

“Someone told me that around the Salem School community that there were a lot of parents needing after school care and stuff like that,” she said. “I thought it would be a good start here.”

Kids Zone is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

“We’ve got to go by a curriculum,” McGowan said of the activities at the childcare center. “You’ve got to have a theme for each week for all of your centers.”

She said there was a very strict state-mandated schedule of activities she must stick to each day.

McGowan’s three employees at the daycare are Mona Popplewell, Teresa McGowan and Stephanie Pedigo. Each are hard workers that will do wonders with the children, she said.

For more information, call Kids Zone at 270-866-2245 or her home at 270-343-4833.

Missy is married to Shannon McGowan, who is also set to open a new business in Russell Springs in the next week or so.

McGowan’s Barber Shop will be located on Steve Wariner Dr., next to Brown’s Auto Sales.

“It is something he had always wanted to do, too,” she said. McGowan recently received his barber’s license in Bowling Green.

The following is a message from Missy McGowan, herself, that she wanted to put out there:

I want to thank God for allowing me to be able to follow my dream-without him I would not be here.

Also, my husband Shannon McGowan for believing in me and staying so positive about everything. I also want to say thank you to my wonderful friends at Little People’s Playhouse.

Barb Hadley, the co-owner of Little People’s has been such a blessing to me in more ways than I know. Also Barb and Larry Popplwell, they have all went out of their way to show their support and confidence in me.

I feel very fortunate to have such great employees. They are dependable and trustworthy. We are just like a big happy family.