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After 52 years, Teri Blakeley bidding daycare good-bye

For 52 years in a quiet house on South Avenue F in Portales, Teri Blakeley has been dispensing love to generations of children left in her care. 

A week from Friday, she'll be bidding those tots and their parents farewell as she officially closes a daycare that has helped raise countless small Portalesanos. 

"I always said God would tell me when it was time to quit," Blakeley told me when I dropped by for a visit a few weeks ago. "God has been telling me for the last few months that it is time." 

Naptime had just ended when I rang the doorbell. Blakeley's assistant opened the door, and I was greeted by a small and enthusiastic herd of toddlers clamoring to introduce themselves. 

Blakeley was an island of calm in this cheerful storm, peacefully rocking one of the youngest babies while patiently answering questions from both me and the toddlers. 

"I always have loved babies," Blakeley said.  "I put myself through college babysitting and I worked at the library. I intended to go on to grad school for a library degree, but there were always kids that needed me. There was always a family that needed me." 

The Halls of Portales are one of those families. When Angela Hall decided to return to work outside the home a few years ago and was looking for childcare, she said Blakeley came highly recommended. 

Hall's spouse worked at the Portales Fire Department and Blakeley was already caring for several of the department's children. 

"I didn't know her before that," Hall said, "but she did used to watch my dad when he was a kid so I knew she could handle mine." 

Hall said she quickly found Blakeley to be "the most kind-hearted, caring, intelligent, wonderful person ever." 

"I don't think I will ever find someone I trust with my kids more than Teri," Hall said. "She was always available to ask any questions I had and answered many I hadn't even thought of. She was the guru most first-time moms wish they had." 

Blakeley has some simple standards when it comes to helping raise small folks. 

"Babies don't need to be in centers," she said. "They need to be in homes. It's like coming to Grandma's house ... except I've got a few more rules." 

One of those rules is no electronics. 

"We don't even do television except in rare cases," Blakeley said. "I've had parents tell me this is one of the reasons they picked me." 

 Her youngsters follow a routine that includes breakfast, lunch, and naptime nestled in hours of play. 

"I believe in play," Blakeley said. "They play up a storm." 

With growing difficulty getting around, Blakeley decided to close for good on the third Friday of August, since "half of the kids will be starting kindergarten or preschool the following Monday," she said. 

She admits it will be "quite an adjustment." 

Blakeley said she wishes she had kept an official tally of the number of children she's known over the years. Her daycare was licensed for 20 kids when she first started back in 1970, and she also fostered children for decades. 

 Some of her daycare children are the second and third generation of their families to spend time in the home they call "Teri's place." 

As for fosters, she says, "I quit counting after 110." 

"I've been called 'Grandma' by a bunch of my foster kids and some of my daycare kids," Blakeley said. "I know more kids than adults." 

Many of those kids have parents like Angela Hall, who are not ready to see their favorite daycare close. 

"At some point or another in each of my three kids' lives, Teri seemed to be the only one capable of calming them down," Hall said. "Oftentimes she even calmed me down when I was paranoid about the kids. She should not be allowed to retire." 

Blakeley gently begs to differ. 

"I knew God would tell me and he has," Blakeley said. "Everything is just falling into place. Every time I am tempted to change my mind, I say no ... I said I would quit. Between foster kids and daycare kids, it has been an interesting life." 

Betty Williamson is ready for milk and cookies. Reach her at:

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