Supporting childcare providers to create stronger communities
Nearly two-thirds of Indiana counties had inadequate access to high-quality childcare providers in 2024, according to Early Learning Indiana’s “Closing the Gap” report. Purdue Extension’s Community Childcare team has been working with local providers to effect change.
Carroll County ranked 91st out of 92 counties. Samantha Miller has seen this firsthand as the executive director of Children’s Garden, the only licensed childcare center in the county.
“We have a dual purpose of being a center and serving children while also moving childcare initiatives forward and serving our community,” Miller says. “Part of what we want to do here is to help our other providers become licensed and work their way through being registered with the state.”
Miller knew that local providers needed support navigating licensing, grants, continuing education credits and other processes. As a former 4-H member, she was confident her county Extension office would be a great resource when Purdue debuted the program and connected her with Extension childcare educator Jennifer Roth.
“She lives in the county and has spent most of her professional life here. She knows a lot about the people, the community and how we operate,” Miller says. “She's been working really hard at making connections to local childcare providers — both licensed and not — and helping to bring us into the same space so that even though we're in a small, rural community, we can have our voices heard.”
Cristina Gomez, owner and director of Bright Kids Bilingual Learning Childcare in Tippecanoe County, connected with her local Extension educator through Facebook. Gomez first met Alejandra Duran Trinidad in person at the Extension Childcare Summit in February.
“I like Alejandra very much,” Gomez says. “She always pushes me to do new things, like get my child development associate credential, and if I have a question, I have someone to go to that speaks Spanish, my first language.”
Tippecanoe County has many childcare providers, but only a handful offer services in Spanish like Bright Kids Bilingual Learning Childcare does. When Gomez first moved to Tippecanoe County, she felt isolated, but she says now she has a strong support network through Extension.
Sometimes working in childcare can be pretty challenging. Alejandra is my support if I need to talk to someone about that. She offers programs every Tuesday, and she created a space for moms and childcare owners to gather and talk about anything."
- Cristina Gomez, owner and director of Bright Kids Bilingual Learning Childcare in Tippecanoe County
In Fountain County, which ranked 92 out of 92 for childcare, Extension educator Michelle Shonkwiler has been working with organizations such as Bauer Family Resources and Lakeshore to provide educational classes for providers.
The director of Attica Early Learning Childcare, Cindy Cline, has attended many of the Extension-organized programs, including classes on safe sleep and cultivating curiosity.
“Michelle has a passion for our area, which is really nice because we’re in a childcare desert. We don't have a lot of opportunities for continuing education,” Cline says. “Just last week, Michelle actually came in and read a story to our pre-K class. She also did an activity with them and talked about water safety, because we were doing a camping summer theme that week.”
Miller, Gomez and Cline are excited to continue working with Extension to further their education, grow their businesses and support their communities.
“I think it's great that we have Purdue Extension working with us,” Cline said. “The childcare team has that passion for early childhood. They want to see the community prosper, and they're here for families and kids to help better the community.”
Featured Stories
With an economic impact of more than $2 million, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)...
Purdue Extension has helped subdue invasive species ranging from kudzu and emerald ash borer to...
Since 1904, 4-H programs in all 92 Indiana counties have invested in and empowered...
When Terry Briscoe’s doctor recommended the Food Is Medicine program led by Purdue...
Tar spot looks innocuous at first, but the tiny black dots on leaves scattered across a cornfield...
Tech Changemakers is at the heart of Purdue Extension’s 4-H Youth Development mission:...