Little Champs Learning Center, located in Sikeston, is a licensed child care program owned and operated by Tyianna Davis. She created Little Champs to give families a safe, dependable place where their children can be cared for, encouraged, and supported as they learn and grow. Little Champs currently serves up to 10 children and Tyianna is...
Andrea brings decades of experience in early childhood education to our community, having founded and operated two licensed early childhood centers before turning her attention to a new venture: Curiosity Sparked. Alongside her professional background, she holds a bachelor’s degree in social science with an education concentration and is currently pursuing a master’s in Educational Technology...
Based in Gladstone, Missouri, Keely Hawkins is passionate about early childhood education and fostering meaningful connections between children and the natural world. She has long dreamed of creating a nature-based learning environment for young children. Over the years, her dedication to educating young learners has grown alongside her passion for homeschooling her own children. When...
In Rolla, MO, recent child care closures have created a significant gap for families in need of reliable care. In response, Kristina Mickelson is expanding her licensed in-home program into a group home setting to increase capacity and better serve her community. “Over the past year, our community has experienced the closure of three daycare...
In Springfield, Kids Inn Child Care Center is taking an important step toward expanding access to quality child care for local families. Led by Christina Ford and supported by the Community Partnership of the Ozarks, the project focuses on meeting a growing need for flexible, affordable care, especially for working families and those navigating life...
The Kirksville child care expansion is a strong example of community-driven solutions in action. Led by Traci Lawrence, Executive Director of Community Action Partnership of the North East (CAPNEMO) and Jenn Vaughn, Head Start Director, the project focuses on increasing access to safe, affordable child care for families in the Kirksville region. As Traci shared, “Enhancing...
In Phelps County, where child care options are limited, especially for infants and toddlers, First Presbyterian Preschool is taking action to expand access. After identifying two underutilized rooms previously used for storage, the program made the decision to convert the space into new classrooms. One room, with direct outdoor access, will serve ambulatory infants, while...