Health Education and Human Sciences | NewsSeptember 16, 2024

Little Lions Celebrates First Anniversary

Written By: Rachel Putman

The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith’s Little Lions Child Development Center will celebrate its first anniversary at 9:30 a.m. on Sept. 20, 2024. The event will be held adjacent to the center, in the renovated Echols Building at 504 N. Waldron Road, marking a significant milestone in the university’s mission to provide high-quality early childhood education for the UAFS community.

The Little Lions Child Development Center was established in partnership with the Arkansas Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, which provided a $1.087 million grant to renovate the Echols Building and transform it into a state-of-the-art childcare facility. The center officially opened in September 2023, offering a safe and educational environment for children from birth to 4 years old while also serving as a living laboratory for UAFS students pursuing careers in early childhood education, dental hygiene, nursing, social work, and more.

“This celebration is a tribute to the hard work of our staff, the support of our leadership at UAFS, and the wonderful families who trust us with the care and development of their children," said LaKeisha Stinyard, the center’s director, who joined UAFS just under a year ago.

Ensuring the center is affordable for families was an early priority. Through the Arkansas Better Chance (ABC) program, established in 1991 to assist children with developmental and financial risk factors, Dr. Shelli Henehan successfully obtained 15 ​spots for three-year-old children at Little Lions.  There are still spots available for the current school year, and Henehan encourages student parents and community members to apply.

Along with making childcare more affordable, Stinyard focused on raising the quality of care provided at Little Lions. By the end of 2023, the center earned certification as a Better Beginnings Level III program, a designation awarded based on a rigorous self-assessment, maintaining comprehensive portfolios, and meeting education and training requirements. Better Beginnings, a state initiative that prepares children for kindergarten through a play-based curriculum, ranks programs from levels I through IV, with Level III marking a significant achievement in just a year of operation.  Level III ranking also allowed the LLCDC to receive CCDF vouchers for the infant, toddler, and preschool children whose families meet the qualifications for this federal funding – drastically reducing or removing out-of-pocket costs for qualified families.

 

In addition to serving as a childcare provider for UAFS faculty, staff, and students, Little Lions is open to the broader River Valley community, helping address the critical need for safe, reliable, and affordable childcare in the region.

Dr. Shelli Henehan, professor and director of Early Childhood Education at UAFS, emphasized the transformative impact of the center. “Early childhood education is the foundation for a child’s future success. It plays a critical role in shaping cognitive, social, and emotional development, setting the stage for lifelong learning and well-being.”

The anniversary celebration will include remarks from UAFS leadership, activities, and facility tours. The event is open to the public, and all are welcome to join in celebrating the center's success and its contributions to early childhood education in the region.

• Tags:
• Early Childhood Education
• College of Health Education and Human Sciences
• Little Lions
• Little Lions Child Development Center