![]() "It covers nine domains of a child's life and the very first domain is social and emotional because we're all about providing that to set them up for success in the future. “We align every activity to Arkansas Child Development Early Learning Standards," she said. But the resources provided to infants and preschool children are a key investment in their futures. Little Lions is positioned to help fill that gap, although Henehan said fees are higher compared to conventional private daycare. Making matters worse is that institutional childcare funding provided by the federal government during the COVID-19 pandemic will end this month, resulting in a " childcare cliff," experts say, for more than 3.2 million American infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Casey Foundation, Arkansas ranks among the top five states for the number of families struggling to access quality child care. That’s our number one mission is to provide childcare for the students.”Īccording to the Annie E. "But for us, it's also about providing a safe space for students who are parents who would like to go back to school to obtain a degree and provide for their families. “I'm sure that most childcare centers are all about the developmental needs of the child," she said. The mission of Little Lions is different from a traditional private childcare center, she said. Shelli Henehan is a Professor, Assessment Coordinator and Director of Early Childhood Education in the School of Education at University of Arkansas - Fort Smith. We hope to have two teachers and 14 toddlers in this room eventually.” "The ratio is one teacher to seven toddlers. "This is the toddler room where we serve 18 months to three year olds," Henehan said, walking through the facility. The college was awarded nearly $1.1 million ARPA Childcare Supply Building Grant dollars in partnership with the Arkansas Division of Childcare and Early Childhood Development to renovate one story of the Echols complex on campus, a proposal Henehan authored. But lots of people have wanted this and 'Arkansas Build Back Better' funds made it possible for us.” "They used to have a childcare center here in the 70s and 80s. “It’s actually been a dream of many people for a very long time," she said. She worked with key colleagues to establish this on-campus center, which opened mid-August. Shelli Henehan, a professor in the School of Education directs the early childhood education program at the college. A half dozen toddlers are very busy this morning inside Little Lions Child Development Centeron the University of Arkansas -Fort Smith campus preparing food in a toy kitchen, reading books and cuddling stuffed animals and baby dolls.
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