Monticello Childcare Centers Provide Holistic Family Support

In Monticello, Arkansas, childcare leaders are transforming the way families access essential services, ensuring that parents and children alike receive the support they need to move from crisis to career to thriving. A recent community discussion, facilitated by Crystal Regalado of the 100 Families Initiative, brought together key childcare providers and family support specialists to address the challenges families face and the resources available to help them succeed.

At the heart of this effort is a commitment to holistic support, where childcare is not just about supervision but about empowering families. Amber “Nicole” Sims, Director of Explorers Academy Monticello, shared how her center serves foster families and single mothers, providing an inclusive and accessible environment. Explorers Academy fosters trust and engagement with families by utilizing an app that keeps parents informed throughout the day. Through this app, parents receive real-time updates on their child’s activities, diaper changes, snacks, lesson plans, and photos, ensuring they stay connected and reassured.

Beth Calhoun, Director/Owner of Jelly Bean Junction Daycare & Preschool, has been in the field for decades and has witnessed firsthand the evolving needs of families. Her center integrates multiple early childhood education programs, including Arkansas Better Chance and federally funded pre-K, to provide a strong educational foundation for children. By prioritizing early intervention and school readiness, Jelly Bean Junction's mission is to ensure that children from all backgrounds start school on an equal footing.

"The more quality you have in a daycare, childcare, school," Calhoun emphasizes, "the more quality you have for parents, the more trust, the more involvement you have."

Mrs. Caviha Leonard, Director/Owner of Ladders 4 Learning, expands services beyond traditional daycare. Her facility accommodates children as young as four weeks old and as old as 12 years, offering before-and-after school programs and even second-shift childcare for parents who work unconventional hours. Additionally, Ladders 4 Learning provides hands-on support for parents, assisting with voucher applications, job searches, and financial stability programs.

One of the most significant challenges discussed was the employment-childcare paradox—many parents cannot secure employment because they lack childcare, yet they cannot receive childcare assistance without proof of employment. To navigate this issue, local childcare providers are offering letters of intent for employment, providing temporary childcare coverage, and working closely with families to secure the necessary paperwork for assistance programs.

"At times we have had to take kids and do the paperwork after, to be able to get them in the facility so parents can go to work," Sims attests.

Tedran Carter, Family & Community Engagement Manager for Head Start/Early Head Start with Save The Children, highlighted the whole-family approach taken by Head Start programs. These initiatives assess families holistically, identifying needs related to food security, housing, employment, and education. Through family partnership agreements, parents set and achieve personal and financial goals, ensuring long-term stability. The program also prioritizes staff wellness, recognizing that investing in childcare professionals leads to better outcomes for children.

Beyond traditional childcare services, Gicelia Swopes, Community Giving Specialist for Save The Children, discussed how Save The Children supports families through initiatives such as book programs, essential supply distributions, and community engagement events. By providing free books, coats, diapers, and educational materials, Save The Children reduces financial stress on families while fostering early childhood literacy and development. Their holistic approach ensures that families are not just surviving but thriving.

"We don't just look at just the child itself," explains Swopes, "We look at the entire family and our community also."

The discussion made it clear that childcare is more than a service—it is a lifeline for families, especially those who lack alternative support systems. The childcare leaders in Monticello are not only providing supervision but also guiding parents toward employment, education, and long-term self-sufficiency. Their efforts demonstrate the power of community collaboration, policy advocacy, and unwavering dedication to family success.

To truly make a difference, continued partnerships between childcare centers, nonprofits, and local agencies are crucial. By investing in quality childcare and holistic family support, Monticello is setting a precedent for how communities can uplift families and create lasting change.