In a small living room in Ellenwood, Georgia, what started as a simple act of support for working moms has grown into one of Bulloch County’s most trusted early education programs.

In 2003, Tina Banks, a local mom with a heart for children and her community, opened her home to care for a few neighborhood children along with her own. She didn’t set out to start a business; she simply wanted to be present for her own sons and, at the same time, support other mothers who needed dependable, nurturing care for their little ones.

“I didn’t have a grand plan,” Tina said. “I just knew I wanted to create a space where children felt safe, loved and free to be themselves — and where moms like me could breathe a little easier, knowing their babies were in good hands.”

That modest in-home setup soon gained momentum, and word began to spread among families who valued Tina’s nurturing, thoughtful approach. It was never just about supervision or checking off developmental boxes; it was about creating a foundation where children could thrive emotionally, socially and academically. 

What started with a handful of families grew organically, fueled by word of mouth, and over time, it has blossomed into what is now Kidovations Educational Experience, a licensed, Quality Rated preschool and child care center in Statesboro. While the setting has changed, Tina’s purpose hasn’t. At its core, Kidovations is built on love, service and a belief in the potential of every child.

“We believe that children don’t need to be pushed — they need to be understood,” Tina said. “Our role is to nurture the whole child: mind, body and spirit. We create a space where they feel seen, celebrated and deeply valued.”

At the heart of Kidovations is a commitment to holistic child development. The center offers an all-inclusive, fully licensed experience with an onsite nurse, developmental specialists, and a proprietary curriculum called Mind Expanders — a program that integrates academics with imagination, play and discovery. From STEAM and early literacy to emotional intelligence and hands-on exploration, every detail is designed to meet children where they are and inspire them to grow.

The Mind Expanders curriculum is one of Kidovations’ signature contributions to early learning. It doesn’t separate play from education; instead, it weaves them together into every lesson, creating a rich environment where children can ask questions, take risks and explore their world with confidence. 

“Play is how children make sense of life,” she said. “When we honor that, learning becomes natural, joyful and lasting.”

Tina also takes great pride in the team that brings this mission to life. She is intentional about hiring staff who bring both experience and heart to the classroom.

“This isn’t just a job,” she said. “I look for people who see early childhood education as a calling — people who believe in showing up every day with compassion, integrity and a deep love for children.”

But Kidovations’ impact stretches far beyond the walls of its classrooms. Through two major outreach programs — Kido Gives Big and Kido Serves Big — the center is actively engaged in giving back to the very community that has embraced it. From surprise grocery deliveries and back-to-school drives to partnerships with local nonprofits, these programs reflect the same values found at the core of Kidovations’ classroom experience: generosity, empathy and connection.

“Kido Gives Big allows us to bless families in real, tangible ways,” Tina said. “And Kido Serves Big is about showing our children the power of compassion and community action. We want them to know they’re never too small to make a big difference.”

That heart for service, paired with academic excellence, is what has earned Kidovations its reputation as a trusted partner for families across Bulloch County. Many of them say the center feels more like an extension of their home than a school, including one mother who told Tina, “You didn’t just care for my child — you cared for our whole family.”

Words like those, Tina says, are what keep her going on the hard days.

“That’s the legacy I want to leave behind,” she said. “Not just that children are school-ready, but that they’re confident, emotionally secure and proud of who they are — and that parents feel seen, supported and understood.”

It’s that legacy — a legacy that is still unfolding — that has taken Kidovations from humble beginnings to one of Bulloch County’s most trusted child care centers.

“Every day, we’re sowing into the next generation,” Tina said. “We’re shaping kind, brilliant, resilient children. We’re supporting families through some of their most formative years. And we’re building something that matters — not just for today, but for decades to come.”