Windy Hill Play: The Nonprofit Revolutionizing Child Care

Windy Hill Play is a nonprofit child care organization on a mission to create accessible, flexible, and abundant spaces for children to play freely and grow in confidence! In this episode, I interview Mariah King and Princess Rahman—the CEO and COO of Windy Hill Play.

Mariah King brings over three years of experience in child-related industries, education, and public service. She has a deep understanding of the unique needs and challenges faced by children and families in our community.

Princess Rahman has extensive experience in customer-facing roles and childcare. She’s passionate about increasing access for marginalized individuals, independent parents, and those working outside traditional 9-5 hours.

Both Mariah and Princess embody what it means to be gentle and firm caregivers, setting clear boundaries enforced with empathy, patience, and persistence. They are dedicated to building and supporting structures, solutions, and services for flexible care models. Windy Hill Play aims to create a diverse support network for primary, secondary, and temporary care providers, creating a haven for children in Durham County and fostering togetherness, love, and wellness.

Mariah and Princess envision a future where every caregiver in Durham, NC, has access to an affiliated care facility providing affordable, flexible solutions. Interviewing these fearless, community-oriented women was an honor. To them, "being the village" is more than just a motto—it’s their life’s mission!

Questions & Time Stamps:

• 23:30 How do you adjust your communication style when interacting with children of different age groups?
• 29:30 When do you begin to speak to children as adults?
• 40:00 What strategies do you use to monitor and support a child's social and emotional development?
• 43:20 When you meet a new child, what do you do to gain their trust?
• 50:15 How do you handle a child who shows aggressive behavior?
• 57:50 How do you handle a situation where a child is being ostracized by others?
• 1:02:00 How do you establish and maintain discipline at your facility?
• 1:11:00 How exactly is Windy Hill Play affordable and flexible?
• 1:15:00 What techniques do you use to encourage creativity and critical thinking in children?