LITTLE ROCK – The Our House Child Development Center program has a new name. What was formerly known as Little Learners will now be Bright Beginnings. This name change better reflects the center’s purpose: to help children get a strong start toward achieving their full potential, regardless of their start in life.
“Quality early childhood education is critically important to everyone in our state, but it is particularly important for those doing the hard work of escaping homelessness and poverty,” said Ben Goodwin, Our House’s Executive Director. “Bright Beginnings is an amazing early childhood center in its own right, and it plays a key role in our holistic approach to helping families make a lasting positive change in their lives.”
The rebranding occurs at a time when Bright Beginnings is doubling in capacity, as a part of Our House’s overall $16 million expansion. Bright Beginnings will now serve 130 children ages 0-5 and their families every day. Families living in Our House’s housing programs (which are also expanding) are the first priority for enrollment, followed by other families participating in Our House programs as a second priority. Bright Beginnings maintains a small number of slots for paying clients, at market-rate tuition. There is a long waiting list for these private pay slots.
As part of the expansion, Bright Beginnings now operates two separate wings of programming. The Windgate Early Learning Academy, housed in the existing Children’s Center, serves 66 infants and toddlers, while the Marge Schueck Preschool Academy, located next door in the new Family Support Center, serves 64 preschoolers ages 3-5.
The name further reflects a focus on quality programming. Bright Beginnings is one of only nine childcare centers in Arkansas to achieve national quality accreditation through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and it is the only one of the nine that serves low-income families through the state’s childcare voucher program.
“We are proud to offer childcare of the highest quality to the families in our community who have experienced some of the greatest challenges,” said Hayley Thomson, Bright Beginnings Manager. “And thanks to the generosity of those who are supporting our expansion, we are grateful to be able to provide this program to twice as many families every day.”