After 23 years and close to 200 children, Pam’s Daycare in Magnolia closed May 31.
Pam Forbes, known as “Pammy,” has operated a licensed home daycare for children from birth to four since her own two boys were young. “It was a way for me to earn a living and still stay home with my own children back then,” she said.
The operation was a family affair.
Forbes brought in her mother, Elizabeth Adams, as a licensed assistant, who became “Grandma Adams” to children and parents. Adams recently celebrated her 91st birthday and is the mother of four, grandmother of 10 and great grandmother of two.
As a nature lover, Forbes taught the children the names of flowers, birds, insects and any other creatures they met on their daily outings to Discovery Park or in the surrounding neighborhoods. The sounds of their laughter and songs were known to entertain neighbors and invited honks and waves from passing policemen, firemen and work trucks. She was also known to do funny dances or sing silly songs, for the kids alone, to lighten a moment or join in their fun.
“I really am just a big kid at heart too,” she said. “Being with children each day kept that fun side of me alive and grounded my soul in the wonderment of their world.”
Forbes was also known to send children home each day with something to share with their parents: a new song, fun art project, story, song or even a bird sound. She invented a counting song to teach the kids how to count from one to 10 in Spanish.
Children in her care also learned manners — “please” and “thank you” — and many even learned to love vegetables.
Her alumni have stayed in touch over the years, Forbes said, including a young woman, newly graduated from high school, who sends her a hand written note each Christmas.
“I’ve made a lot of dear friends,” Forbes reflected. “You become a part of people’s lives.”
Forbes grew up and has lived in Magnolia for most of her life, attending Lawton Elementary, Blaine and Queen Anne High School before continuing on to the University of Washington. She married Charles Forbes and raised her own two sons, Charlie, 28, and Trevor, 23 in Magnolia.
“I’m looking at possibly working in something related to the childcare field,” Forbes said. “I’m just taking a deep breath. I still haven’t decided.”