Alongside the Lord’s blessing, Crossroads Learning Center is expanding its child care options for the Reeltown and Holtville communities.
Owner Hannah Johnson said she first started the daycare to make child care accessible for working women in rural areas. The daycare came from her women’s ministry — LIFT Ministries. Johnson originally thought with her ministry she would teach women life skills, but the Lord had a different plan in mind.
“What I found is most women need childcare in order to go to work and they couldn’t afford childcare,” she said.
With a background in social work, she knew some women could get financial assistance for childcare through the Family Guidance Center of Alabama. Johnson established Crossroads and accepts Family Guidance Center of Alabama’s financial assistance.
As Crossroads grew, the daycare also added a First-class preschool, which is recognized by Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education and funded through the state. However, the waiting list continued to grow.
Johnson said she realized it was time to add to the Reeltown location, and she has also been developing a new location in Holtville, which just opened last week after a year’s work.
“The Lord has given me the vision to put child care in rural areas,” Johnson said of taking on the two development projects.
There are 90 spots and currently about 35 kids, so there is plenty of space available. Johnson explained each week Crossroads will add more kids and staff members.
Crossroads Learning Center offers infant toddler care, PreK and Pre3 programs and school break programs at both locations. The Reeltown expansion is also nearly complete with the goal to be open at least by next week.
The expansion includes two new rooms, one being a preschool classroom and another being a potty-training room for the younger kids. The expansion will also allow for 60 new spots.
Johnson said the beauty of Crossroads is not only does it help working mothers with affordable child care, but also it provides work opportunities for women. She said the Reeltown location has provided at least 30 women jobs since opening.
Johnson said she looks to open more locations in the future to carry out the work the Lord has blessed her with.
