1961
60+ years of (1961 - Today) Excellence
1961
60+ years
of
(1961 - Today)
Excellence
1961
We almost started
a hair salon...Almost
In 1961, after the loss of his father, a teenage Pat Vinson worked odd jobs to support his family. When his mother debated between opening a hair salon or a daycare, Pat knew where his heart was. “I can’t cut hair, but I can rock a baby,” he said. Kiddie City opened in their home.
The Salon that Could’ve Been
The salon never happened. Instead, Kiddie City became the foundation of what would later grow into Kids ‘R’ Kids — a choice that shaped generations of families.
1963
love, Chance
and the lottery
Building Kids ‘R’ Kids
The jackpot became seed money for growth, turning Kiddie City into something bigger. By reinvesting in children, Pat and Janice laid the foundation for the Kids ‘R’ Kids legacy.
1990s
Breakfast, Smirks, and Sparkling Glass
Pat’s mornings began the same way: hours at his favorite breakfast spot with a newspaper, and later an iPad, always with hot sauce on the table. The diner eventually dedicated a booth in his honor. After breakfast, he’d head to the office, where staff scrambled to shine the glass walls. “If you can lean, you can clean,” he’d remind them.
The staff would frantically clean the security glass before Pat showed up to the school. Something about his presence was well-respected by everyone in the Kids ‘R’ Kids family.
Behind every great man
Janice was tough, loving, and honest. She balanced Pat’s boldness with her own steady leadership, ensuring the business always led with heart.
What almost was
Franchising was never about numbers alone. Pat believed every new owner was a partner in shaping children’s futures — a family business helping other families thrive.
1990s
The Yes That
Changed Everything
When a colleague introduced Pat to the concept of franchising, he saw more than a growth strategy — he saw a way to give others the chance to build successful businesses of their own. For Pat, franchising wasn’t just expansion, it was empowerment.
By the 1990s, Kids ‘R’ Kids had become one of the fastest-growing childcare franchises in the nation, with the Texas market quickly becoming his favorite success story.
2000s
New Chapter,
Same Heart
As Kids ‘R’ Kids grew, the founders’ values didn’t fade—they were handed down. Pat’s insistence on doing the right thing shaped the culture, and the Owners Conference became a tradition he cherished for how it brought the family of owners together and reflected his life’s work. Today, that spirit continues through the next generation of leadership.
Carrying the Torch
David Vinson
President & CEO, continuing the founders’ vision with family at the center of every decision.
Sasha Vinson
Chief Operating Officer, leading daily operations and upholding the standard of excellence across schools.
Darlene Vinson
Assistant Vice President, supporting company leadership while carrying forward her parents’ vision.
Sydney Vinson
Represents the next generation of the KRK family—learning by example and helping carry forward what Pat and Janice began.
Tori Barnwell Slaughter
Plays an active role in advancing KRK’s mission, ensuring the values of family and quality remain strong.
Garrison Slaughter
Part of the next generation, helping strengthen KRK’s legacy through service and commitment to the organization’s future.
Jason Barnwell
Dedicated team member contributing to operational excellence and supporting growth across KRK schools.
David Vinson
President & CEO, continuing the founders’ vision with family at the center of every decision.
Sasha Vinson
Chief Operating Officer, leading daily operations and upholding the standard of excellence across schools.
Darlene Vinson
Assistant Vice President, supporting company leadership while carrying forward her parents’ vision.
Sydney Vinson
Represents the next generation of the KRK family—learning by example and helping carry forward what Pat and Janice began.
Tori Barnwell Slaughter
Plays an active role in advancing KRK’s mission, ensuring the values of family and quality remain strong.
Jason Barnwell
Dedicated team member contributing to operational excellence and supporting growth across KRK schools.
Garrison Slaughter
Part of the next generation, helping strengthen KRK’s legacy through service and commitment to the organization’s future.
2025
Hug First, Then Teach
WHY HOW MATTERS
Pat believed care had to come before academics. A hug opened the door for learning, making children feel safe, valued, and ready to grow.
why family matters
Pat and Janice knew their success came from families working together. That belief remains the foundation of Kids ‘R’ Kids today.
Family Partnerships
Teamwork
WHY TOGETHER MATTERS
Pat’s leadership style was simple: no one succeeds alone. From classrooms to corporate, collaboration is how the Kids ‘R’ Kids family thrives.
The Pat Effect
On April 22, 2025, we said goodbye to Pat Vinson, but the spirit he shaped lives on. His legacy was never just about building a business — it was about building people. From his loud laugh to his habit of checking in on families and staff, Pat left behind a culture rooted in love, resilience, and connection.
Today
Write the Next Chapter With Us
Join a legacy over 60 years in the making — take the first step toward opening your own Kids ‘R’ Kids school.