MONROE — There is a national crisis on the child care front. Costs are high and staffing is down. The problem has not evaded Green County, either.

“Daycare has seen its hits,” said Troy Clark, Center Director for Bright Beginnings, Monroe’s newest childcare and preschool facility. “There are a lot of families that need safe and affordable daycare.”

For local residents, however, the waiting list is about to get a little bit of reprieve. Bright Beginnings is a non-profit located inside St. John’s Church of Christ in central Monroe, between the middle school and St. Victor’s. The church is also the home of the former Ding-A-Dong Preschool.

The process for starting a new childcare and preschool facility began several years ago in 2020. Clark came on board in October 2021 and has helped take it to the next level, going through an endless amount of red tape and paperwork.

“The process was difficult,” Clark said.

Clark spent 10 years at Noah’s Ark in Monroe as a teacher and administrator. He then went into the culinary industry for a bit before returning to the childcare scene.

Bright Beginnings is now fully certified as of April 7 and adding staff. The doors will open by May 1. They will serve children between the ages of 2 1/2 to 13 years old. 

There will be loose lesson planning, and the structure for the children will be mostly play- and activity-based care, like crafts and stories. 

Outside of days of operation for preschool, the facility will also be available to host kids ages 5-plus all day on snow days, regular days that school is out in the city, and during the summer, which will allow parents to keep working without needing to find alternate care for their children.

Clark said they are bringing in various toys, books and other equipment through donations and a budget. Parents will need to provide lunches for their children, though everyone will also be provided snacks. 

“We are excited for the opportunity to serve the community and offer affordable licensed childcare in a caring and Christian environment,” Bright Beginnings states on its website. “We provide child-centered, play-based learning experiences and care for children ages 2 and half years old to 12 years old in a safe and nurturing environment.”

For more information or to put a child on the Bright Beginnings waiting list, visit www.brightbeginnings

monroe.com or call 608-325-1101.