Denise Stout, the owner of Kids Konnection Daycare in Pahrump, NV, has an inspiring journey that reflects her deep passion for childcare and the unique circumstances that led her to run the center. Kids Konnection Daycare, which is spelled with a “K,” has been a staple in the community since it opened in 2009, offering care for children from birth to 12 years old. The business originally started under the ownership of another Denise—Denise Stout, who created a family-like atmosphere for children and parents alike. In an unexpected twist, Denise 2.0, as the current owner fondly refers to herself, took over the business after a close personal connection led her to the opportunity.
Before taking over Kids Konnection, Denise worked for 16 years running an in-home daycare in Las Vegas, caring for children while also managing the challenges of raising her medically fragile son, who was born prematurely. “I couldn’t trust anyone to take care of my son the way I would, so I ran an in-home daycare to stay close to him,” Denise explained. Her years of experience in home daycare made her the perfect fit to run a larger daycare center like Kids Konnection. After moving back to Pahrump, Denise spent 14 years working with the Nye County School District, but her passion for daycare never faded. It wasn’t until her husband Doug, who previously owned the daycare with his ex-wife, presented her with the chance to take over that she realized her dream of running a center once again.
“When Doug told me about the daycare in his backyard, I was a little creeped out at first. I thought, ‘What is a single guy doing with a daycare?’ But when I saw it, I realized this was my dream.” Denise had known Doug’s ex-wife from her time running the summer camp at JG Johnson Elementary School, and she had always admired the daycare’s vibe. “She’s an amazing lady. When Doug’s ex-wife moved to Iowa, she offered us the daycare, and it was just the perfect opportunity for me,” Denise shared.
Taking over Kids Konnection wasn’t without its challenges. Denise continued working for the school district while trying to manage the daycare on the side, a balancing act that became increasingly difficult. Between her duties at Mount Charleston Elementary and helping her father-in-law with his doctor’s appointments, Denise knew she couldn’t be in multiple places at once. “It was too much. I was getting called at work because something was happening at the daycare. Eventually, I had to make a decision, and I resigned from the school district,” she explained.
Fully committing to Kids Konnection has allowed Denise to focus on her vision for the center. She applied for and received grants from the state, which enabled a complete renovation of the daycare, including new carpets, paint, furniture, and curriculum materials. “The kids have responded so well to the new environment,” Denise said.
Kids Konnection is part of Nevada’s STARS rating system, similar to how schools are rated. Denise is proud of the daycare’s three-star rating, and she works closely with a coach from the Family Child Care Environmental Rating System (FCCERS) to improve even further. “Our FCCERS coach comes twice a month and helps us refine our practices. It’s been a game-changer for us,” Denise added. As part of their progress, Denise and her staff are working towards accreditation, and she has already purchased new curriculum that is geared toward three-year-olds.
Denise is especially proud of the daycare’s preschool services, which serve as a bridge for three-year-olds to prepare for preschool. Kids Konnection offers a structured schedule that includes playtime, outdoor activities, and a curriculum that helps children develop critical skills for school readiness. “We are open from 6 AM to 6 PM, and in addition to the curriculum, we serve breakfast, lunch, and two snacks,” Denise explained. The daycare participates in the state-funded nutrition program Food for Kids, which ensures that all children receive nutritious meals. The program also conducts regular inspections to ensure the daycare is meeting its dietary requirements, which is a point of pride for Denise.
One of the standout features of Kids Konnection is its strong community atmosphere. “We have a waiting list with 20 families on it, and our phone rings constantly,” Denise said. Despite the demand, she has cultivated close relationships with other daycare providers in town, referring families to them when she can’t accommodate. “If I can’t help a family, I’ll refer them to one of my friends. We all work together to make sure kids are cared for,” she said.
Staffing is another critical component of the daycare’s success. Denise credits much of the center’s smooth operations to her dedicated team, which includes the beloved “Grandma Sandy,” who has worked at the daycare for nearly 10 years. “Grandma Sandy opens the center at 6 AM, and she’s the potty-training queen,” Denise said, praising her commitment to the children. The team also includes Miss Averi, who drives the daycare’s van and handles school drop-offs and pickups, as well as Denise’s daughter Breana, who returned to Pahrump to join the family business. “It’s so wonderful having Breana here. She grew up with me running a daycare in our home, so it’s like she was made for this,” Denise said proudly.
One of the daycare’s unique features is the emphasis on mixed-age play. While they have a designated safe space for infants, Denise believes in letting toddlers interact with older kids as soon as they’re ready. “We keep the babies in their own area until they’re crawling, but after that, they’re part of the group. It’s amazing to see how the older kids learn to be mindful and take care of the little ones,” Denise explained. This approach helps foster independence and social skills among the children.
Despite the overwhelming demand, Denise has no immediate plans to expand the center, largely due to state regulations around septic systems. “We looked into expanding, but they want us to install a commercial septic system, and that’s just not feasible for us right now,” she said. However, she hasn’t ruled out the possibility of opening another location in the future. “We’ve talked about it, but right now we’re focused on making this place the best it can be,” Denise said.
The daycare’s sense of community extends beyond its staff and children to the parents, who rely on Kids Konnection for consistent, high-quality care. “Parents count on us to be here, rain or shine,” Denise said. She’s especially proud that the daycare remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, a feat that required careful planning and strict adherence to sanitization protocols. “We never had to shut down during COVID, and I’m so thankful for that. Our parents were grateful too, especially those who were essential workers,” she said.
Looking ahead, Denise is focused on continuing to enhance the daycare experience for children and families, while also advocating for more resources for childcare providers in Pahrump. “There’s such a need for more childcare options in our valley,” she said. While she’s content with the current size of Kids Konnection, she knows that the demand for quality daycare will only continue to grow.
Denise’s journey is a testament to her passion for children. Under her leadership, Kids Konnection continues to be a thriving, joyful space where children can learn, play, and grow, surrounded by love and care. As Denise continues to build on the foundation laid by the original Denise Stout, she’s shaping a legacy of excellence in childcare that will benefit the Pahrump community for years to come.
