The playroom is littered with balls, dolls, and a long runway of colorful craft projects. Ms. Wanda is simultaneously bottle-feeding a baby and staying on top of potty-training a toddler as we sit down to talk.

Meet Ms. Wanda

The famous Ms. Wanda, a childcare provider, is one of the MAC’s longest employees, celebrating 30 years of service. Her entire career has been in childcare and housekeeping, which explains why she is such a capable and compassionate caregiver.  The MAC playroom is open to kids 6 months to 11 years old from Monday-Saturday. Some days she has 17 kids at a time in there and shockingly, she has never lost her cool.

Ms. Wanda has three children of her own – Marcus, Samuel, and Angie – and seven grandchildren ranging from 2 to 20 years old. But she regards (and treats) all the children in the MAC playroom as her own. She beams with pride when she tells me that one of her “MAC babies” came back to visit and tell her that he is going to Boston College next year. Ms. Wanda’s daughter Angie has been a locker room attendant for the past two years at the MAC – you might recognize that they have the same friendly demeanor. 

If multitasking were a sport, Ms. Wanda would earn a gold medal. She can do it all without getting flustered – which is an impressive feat in itself. Her other superpower is making the children listen to her so well.

“Well I do have to give time-outs every once in a while,” she admits. “I don’t pamper them. I am strict but sweet.”

Ms. Wanda admits she never judges others on how they decide to parent, but she makes sure the kids know they listen to her when they are in her playroom. 

Another strategy Ms. Wanda has perfected is playing alongside the kids to show them there is a time for fun, and also a time to listen. She loves playing hide and seek and doing art projects with the kids. “They help me stay young,” she admits. And it’s working. Ms. Wanda is 60 years old but could pass for 45. 

Although she never plays favorites, it’s pretty sweet to watch her care for babies.

“The little bitty ones are my favorites because you can see them learn so much,” she says. “The teenage years are the hardest, especially when they challenge you and think they know more than you.”

Caring is so ingrained in her that she still checks in on her adult children if she doesn’t hear from them after a couple of days.

So when does she have time to take care of herself? 

Evenings and Sundays are her sacred time to be with her family and chill on the couch for movie nights. Her immediate family lives here in Milwaukee, but her 10 sisters and brothers are in Alabama and she enjoys fleeing the cold weather to visit them often.

Experience the Magic of Ms. Wanda! For 30 years, Ms. Wanda has been the heart and soul of the MAC playroom, providing exceptional care and endless fun for our youngest members. Come see why generations of families adore her. Stop by the playroom this week and let your kids be part of the magic!