Beloved daycare provider retires after 40 years
Published at
CHUBBUCK — After 40 years of caring for other people’s children as if they were her own, beloved child care provider Tres Thorpe is finally taking a well-deserved rest.
For four decades, Thorpe has run Shooting Stars Daycare out of her Chubbuck home — a career that turned hundreds, maybe even thousands, of children and their families into her extended family.
She cared for little ones ranging from newborns to six-year-olds, often waking as early as 3 a.m. to accommodate parents working early shifts — and sometimes going years without taking a vacation.
Thorpe’s childcare journey began in her hometown of Inkom, where, as a teenager, she worked as a nanny. Newly married at 18, she started caring for children in a single trailer in Lava Hot Springs — charging just $1 an hour per child.
“I’ve always loved kids so much. Especially babies,” said Thorpe, “I love watching their little personalities develop.”
When Thorpe moved to Chubbuck in the mid-1980s, families followed her to town, still requesting her care. That was the beginning of Shooting Stars — a name that would come to represent the hominess, reliability, and fun she brought to countless children, along with peace of mind for working parents.
Her own three children grew up surrounded by the laughter, traditions and chaos of daycare life.
“My kids never knew anything different. It was part of our family life. We all gained lifelong friends through the daycare,” said Thorpe.
Thorpe’s passion for children and teaching inspired her to add preschool lessons to her program. Using repetitive songs, rhymes, and flashcards, she helped kids as young as one-year-old learn to read simple words.
“Kids are so much smarter and more capable than we think they are when given the opportunity to learn things. They’re little geniuses, actually,” she said.
But what Thorpe and her “kids” remember most are the holidays, birthdays and celebrated moments in between, times when every child felt like the most special one in the room.
“Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas were my favorites. I just loved seeing the magic in the eyes of the kids,” she said.
Each Thanksgiving, she made a full homemade feast — complete with turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. On Halloween, she threw festive parties with costumes and games, and every Christmas, her pajama parties and personalized gifts created memories that lasted well beyond childhood.
Thorpe’s house became famous around the neighborhood for its over-the-top holiday decorations. At Halloween, it was dubbed The Halloween House, and at Christmas, it transformed into a magical Candyland that drew families from all over town.
Having now cared for some of the children of her former daycare kids, Thorpe says it’s rare that she makes a grocery run without bumping into one of her “kids.”
“When I see them, it’s like running into one of my own,” she said. “I love it when they give me a big hug and share a memory with me, like how much they liked corn dog day or my homemade pizza.”
Having built a life and business that she loves, the decision to finally retire was not an easy one for Thorpe. However, after gentle nudges from her husband the past few years, she finally decided it was time to turn her care and compassion toward her aging mother — and herself — with the same devotion she’d given so many others.
Thorpe retires with a heart full of gratitude, saying, “I appreciate the people who shared their kids with me and trusted me with the most precious people in their lives — their children. It was my honor.”
The legacy of Shooting Stars will continue with a new owner taking the name and running the in-home daycare — carrying on Thorpe’s spirit and dedication for a new generation of little stars.
