Newly named Pepperdine Academy readjusts to doing business amid COVID-19 outbreak

Pepperdine Academy has lost half its business due to the COVID-19 outbreak because people who have lost their jobs are staying home with their children instead of putting them in day care.

However, owner Regina Miller says her business, which is on Woodlawn just south of 37th Street North, is an essential one for others who work at essential businesses.

“You go outside of Pepperdine, you know something’s wrong with the world, but inside it’s just . . . the same happy place.”

Miller, who has been in child care for 42 years, and two silent partners started their business as Princeton Children’s Center a dozen years ago.

Last year, her partners retired, and now Miller has changed the name of her business to Pepperdine Academy.

“I wanted to keep in touch with the Ivy League names,” she said.

Miller said she liked learning that Pepperdine University founder George Pepperdine is from Kansas.

“Now I’m bringing that name back home.”

The day care is for 6-week-olds to 5-year-olds.

Miller says she cares for a lot of children whose parents are doctors, nurses and pharmacists.

There’s also a summer camp for children ages 6 to 10.

Miller started a version of the camp early this year to help parents by having teacher Brianna Barrientos assist students with their schoolwork.

This summer, traditional camp will start.

Miller said Pepperdine’s director, Helen Lyon, is especially key right now.

“Helen keeps our families comfortable,” she said. “It’s a really, really strenuous time for everybody.”

Miller, who will become a new Friends University board of trustee member via a Zoom induction on April 16, said she’s simultaneously trying to help children learn and shield them from what’s happening in the world.

“Childhood should be innocent. Because of that, it’s our job to create a safe and healthy place for them to learn and grow.”

This story was originally published April 7, 2020 at 1:20 PM.