To tackle the critical shortage of childcare services in rural Kentucky, two new childcare centers are set to open with vital support from the Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Child Care Initiative.

Funded by a Truist Charitable Fund Grant and delivered in partnership with the Kentucky SBDC and the Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation (SKED), the initiative has equipped these centers with essential tools and resources to ensure their success. 

Lollipop Kidz Childcare in Beattyville and The Owls Tree House Learning Center in Owsley County are the latest childcare businesses to benefit from this initiative. These centers will fill a significant gap in early childhood education and care within their communities, providing much-needed support for local families and bolstering the workforce. 

"The Kentucky Child Care Initiative is about more than just opening doors—it’s about laying the groundwork for financially viable childcare centers that can deliver the highest quality care for future generations. We aim to see the childcare industry thrive across Kentucky," said Michelle Spriggs, Kentucky SBDC Child Care Initiative team lead. "Both Lollipop Kidz Childcare and The Owls Tree House Learning Center are shining examples of how local partnerships can drive real change in rural communities." 

Tanya and Michael Moore, owners of Lollipop Kidz Childcare, recognized the pressing need for childcare through their work at their Rural Health Clinic in Lee County. Many of their staff members face challenges finding dependable childcare, impacting both their personal lives and job performance. Committed to finding a solution, the Moore’s partnered with Kentucky SBDC’s Michelle Spriggs to bring their vision to life.  

Set to open in November 2024, the center will offer high-quality care for 20 children up to age five, addressing a crucial need in the community. In September, the center received a laptop for managing financial operations and a STARS-rated curriculum focused on early childhood development, ensuring the center’s strong start in serving the children. 

Similarly, The Owls Tree House Learning Center is poised to become Owsley County’s first-ever childcare facility—a monumental achievement for a region long known as a "childcare desert” by the Cabinet of Health and Family Services. Led by Sue Christian and JoAnne Richard, The Owls Tree House collaborated with the Kentucky SBDC and SKED to secure needed resources to launch successfully. 

Thanks to the Kentucky Child Care Initiative, Owsley County’s center also received a laptop for managing finances through QuickBooks, and a STARS curriculum designed to provide a top-tier early childhood education. With a 47-seat capacity to better serve families throughout the county, this nonprofit will open at the end of this year. 

The Kentucky Child Care Initiative has played a pivotal role in helping these centers open, providing critical resources necessary for financial sustainability and delivery of high-quality childcare services. In addition, the collaboration among the Kentucky SBDC, SKED and Truist has supplied training, guidance and— ensuring long-term success. 

With the opening of these two centers, local families will have access to reliable, high-quality childcare services—empowering parents to focus on their careers while fostering their children’s growth. The Kentucky SBDC and SKED remain dedicated to supporting childcare entrepreneurs, meeting the urgent need for early childhood education across the state. 

“SKED is proud to support the Kentucky Child Care Initiative and its mission to foster thriving childcare centers across the state. By providing essential resources and expertise, we’re helping to ensure that Kentucky’s children have access to the high-quality care they deserve,” said Amanda Kelly, Small Business Training Director at SKED. “The success of Lollipop Kidz Childcare and The Owls Tree House Learning Center is a testament to the initiative’s impact on rural communities, and we look forward to continuing to partner with them to build a stronger future for Kentucky’s families.” 

Kentucky Child Care Initiative 

The Kentucky Child Care Initiative is a collaborative effort funded by a Truist Charitable Fund Grant, in partnership with the Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation (SKED). The initiative provides equipment, resources, and guidance to help new and existing childcare centers thrive, ensuring that communities across Kentucky have access to high-quality early childhood education. 

Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation   

The Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation (SKED) is a 37-year-old nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution that services 45 counties in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. A staff of 10 professionals works with business owners, small and large, to identify financing solutions funding their location, expansion, and working capital needs and provide them with the business counseling and training they need to succeed.  

Kentucky SBDC 

The Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has been assisting the commonwealth’s small business community for over 40 years. With centers statewide and an experienced and knowledgeable staff, the Kentucky SBDC provides unparalleled business coaching and training services at no cost to help existing business owners and potential entrepreneurs start, grow and succeed.  

Kentucky SBDC services include one-on-one business coaching, training workshops, access to market research, loan packaging help, assistance with financial projections and information needed to make informed business decisions.   

Kentucky SBDC is co-sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration and is administered by the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment in partnership with regional academic institutions, economic development organizations, the private sector and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. 

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Kentucky SBDC is funded, in part, through a Cooperative Agreement with the U. S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of SBA.

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