Zimmer finds a new calling
Heads local daycare after long career in nursing field
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Editor’s note: This feature first ran in a special publication called Hometown Pride, published June 27, 2026, featuring
Vickie Zimmer had been a nurse for most of her professional career when she discovered a fulfilling life completely outside of her comfort zone.
What began as a fill-in favor for a relative slowly but surely evolved into a new path for Zimmer, who today serves as the director of the Calvary Family Center in the Pleasant Valley neighborhood.
In 2021, the woman affectionately known as "Nana" or "Miss Vickie" offered to lend a helping hand to a cousin who was running the daycare across from -- and owned by -- Calvary Memorial Church in Fort Dodge. At first, Zimmer served strictly as a volunteer.
"I had been a very dedicated nurse for a long time," the 61-year-old Zimmer said. "But I was getting older and it was getting to be a little too much. That's when this opportunity came around.
"It was truly God's will for me to get involved, because child care was not my field (of expertise) back then."
Zimmer spent about a year assisting at the facility, which serves between 30 and 40 kids who vary in age from 2 months to 12 years old. The director position window then opened for Zimmer to consider.
At first, she was hesitant.
"They asked me about it, and I said no thank you. Then I said no again," Zimmer laughed. "I love kids, but I had been working with elderly people for most of my career up until that point.
"A lot was going on with my nursing situation at the time. God removed me from that and placed me in this one physically, mentally and emotionally. It's become a passion, and I haven't looked back since."
Today, Calvary Family Center is truly a family affair. All nine staff members are related, and all nine have obtained their Child Development Associate (CDA) certification -- a nationally-recognized credential for early childhood educators working with children up to age 5. In order to attain a CDA, a person must complete at least 120 hours of early childhood education training, 480 more hours of relevant work experience, put together a complete portfolio of qualifications, and pass an exam.
"We take a great deal of pride in all of our staff members being qualified, educated, trained properly and CDA certified," Zimmer said. "We sometimes have to fight certain stigmas and stereotypes given where we are located (1318 10th Ave. S.W.); it's a challenge because we may not be perceived as one of the 'elite' daycares in Fort Dodge, and we are a nonprofit organization. But we are absolutely one of the best. We do the job right and we care about our kids, from the time they are babies through when they start to walk and talk and eventually go to school.
"I'm a strong competitor. If others can do it, so can we. We have an awesome place. People notice it immediately when they visit. We strive to be number one and work very hard to back that up and prove it to our families and the community."
In her spare time, Zimmer is known around the neighborhood for her culinary skills.
"I do a lot of cooking for the community," said Zimmer, who remains a licensed and registered nurse. "A lot of fundraisers for church and repasts for funerals. Different dinners throughout the year. Whatever we can to help."
Zimmer is a welcome sight to the kids in public -- these days especially.
"They see you out and around and just light up," Zimmer said. "Whether they're still at your daycare, moved on to a different one or have gotten older, you hear a "Nana!" or "Miss Vickie!" and it makes your day. They don't forget you. And that affection and love is inspiring.
"We have more of a ministry than a daycare, and we teach the importance of respect. We have our ups and downs and good days and bad, of course, but I'm winning. I could probably retire soon, but I could also do this until I'm 80. We have a terrific team in place. It's running smoothly and we work well together. This maybe wasn't what I had planned or expected. But I am certainly blessed."