Limited access to child care continues to be a barrier for families in rural areas of Arizona, like Yavapai County. The county faces a nearly 20% gap in child care, which means many families are forced to make difficult choices—either leave the workforce or piece together care. This community need inspired Heights Church in Prescott Valley to become part of the solution.
What they did
Initial plans for a new church building changed after listening to its community. Instead, leaders at Heights Church in Prescott Valley prioritized addressing the overwhelming need for child care. They opted to transform a former grocery store into a preschool and multi-use facility. The result was Upside Preschool and Park Collective, which turned an empty space into a thriving community hub.
The results
- After School Program
Upside Preschool also offers after-school programs for kindergarteners through 5th graders from neighboring schools, providing 50 openings for children. - Heights Church After-Hours Child Care
In addition to the preschool, Heights Church uses the facility to meet child care needs for its congregation on Thursday nights and weekends. - Park Collective
Is a climate-controlled, large playground, community spaces designed for Prescott Valley residents and families all year-round. - Event and Meeting Space
Park Collective offers various event and meeting spaces catering to any occasion, small or large.
As Upside Preschool Director Amy Buettner said, “Community members said instead of another church, they needed child care, after-school care and a safe place for their family to play and hang out. Heights Church made a commitment to best serve their community by addressing their needs.”
Investing in early childhood education is smart economic sense. When that happens:
- Working families can stay in the workforce while being to afford high quality child care.
- Children receive high quality child care.
- Communities and the economy thrive with higher graduation rates and greater economic productivity.
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