During the winter of 2019, I (Megan McKarnin) found out that the preschool/daycare would potentially have to move if the new science building passed through the voters of Allen County. After finding out that it had passed, I started looking. This was when I came across Harvest Baptist Church. The congregation had outgrown their current facility, so they wanted to sell. (Right Place, Right Time.)The building was absolutely perfect for a daycare and preschool center. So I approached my friend and local childcare owner, Hayley Westerman, to open one together. She said YES!! I couldn’t believe it, and I was ecstatic.

When we started talking about names for the center, Hayley asked if I wanted to use Munchkinland somehow. I was thrilled she wanted to use Munchkinland because the term is so near and dear to my heart since it was my mom’s (Teresa Cook) preschool name, and I wanted to keep it to honor my mom! So here we are at Munchkinland and More. We are thrilled to open our own daycare center (Munchkinland and More) to have a safe, fun, loving, and educating place for children of all ages.  We welcome you and can’t wait to meet all the little faces in our new facility.

Co-Owners Megan and Derrek McKarnin

Welcome to Munchkinland and More. I would first like to take the time to introduce myself. My name is Megan McKarnin (Cook), and I was the owner and director of Munchkinland. I took over Munchkinland in the winter of 2012 when my mother, Teresa Cook, lost her long battle with breast cancer.  My mom is the one that inspired me to do this because not only did she love going to work every day, but she said it was one of the most rewarding jobs out there.

I am the daughter of Jeff and the late Teresa Cook. My dad is a licensed electrician and works for Hoffmeier Electric of Iola. My parents raised my brother and me all our lives here in Iola, with my sister raised in Pittsburg, Kansas.  Since taking over the preschool, many things have changed in my personal life.  I married Derrek McKarnin in the summer of 2014. We welcomed two children Parker Ray in 2016 and Tylen Teresa, in 2018. And now we know what everyone was saying about your love for your children.  They have brought us so much joy; we love watching them grow and learn new things every day. Derrek is currently working at Southern Star in Welda after completing his undergrad degree at Pittsburg State. And I am getting my undergrad degree through Wichita State (TAP Program)with a major in Early Childhood Education.

Co-Owners Hayley and Brandon Westerman

Hayley, Brandon, Brodon and Havick Westerman

Hello, my name is Hayley Westerman; I have been married to my wonderful husband, Brandon Westerman, since 2010.  We have two wonderful boys together, Brodon and Havick.  A little bit about myself.   I grew up in Iola and LeRoy, went to school in Iola, and graduated from Iola Senior High in 2008.  I went to Allen Community College and started working at Kids Kingdom Daycare Center. For two years, I grew from working as an office assistant, infant room teacher, preschool teacher, and director of up to 100 children.   In 2010 we welcomed our firstborn Brodon, and I decided to open my own in-home daycare.  In 2014 we welcomed Havick into this world.  I have enjoyed working with kids and am excited about this new adventure.