Forsyth closing the gap for childcare

SUBMITTED BY SILVER DOLLAR CITY

A recent study found the need for infant and toddler care in Stone and Taney counties exceeds the number of available licensed slots by about 1,400 – a statistic that doesn’t come as a surprise to Forsyth Superintendent Dr. Jeff Mingus.

“It was not unusual for us to get a call at least once a week from parents looking for childcare,” Mingus said as he walked the hall of the district’s newest facility – Forsyth Early Childhood Center. “We realized it was time for us to offer childcare for our area.”

In January, the district opened the 6,000 square-foot center which houses six early childhood classrooms. When at capacity, the center will serve nearly 70 children. So far, the district has moved its three preschool classrooms from its elementary building to the new facility and opened the first of its two-year-old classrooms. When at capacity, the center will have a second two-year-old room and one infant room.

“We wanted to take our time, get our feet in the water first and make sure we have everything worked out before we open at full capacity,” Mingus said, adding they expect to be full in August. “Once we are at full capacity, we’ll be the largest childcare provider in the district.”

The district will not just be meeting a need in the community but providing an important service to teachers and staff. 

“It's allowed us to hire a couple teachers who have young families because this gives them childcare right here on campus with them,” he said.

The entire childhood center is dedicated to the district’s youngest students and includes a new playground designed specifically for preschool students.

“Everything is age appropriate and size appropriate, so it’s just right for them,” he said. In addition to providing much need childcare, Mingus said it was also important to make the service affordable.

Through a Silver Dollar City Foundation Hope Grant, the district has been able to offset staff costs which helps keeps rates low. The cost for an infant or toddler care is $125 weekly, which includes school breakfast and lunch.

“The Hope Grant has been key in helping us keep our costs affordable, which is important to families,” he added.

For more information about the Forsyth Early Childhood Center, call 417-546-6384.

Silver Dollar City Foundation provides grant funding to the 14 public school districts serving Stone and Taney County children. These grants empower districts to address local needs ranging from early childhood education to literacy programs, behavioral support, social services, student and family engagement and more. During the 2024–2025 school year alone, Hope Grant projects positively impacted nearly 3,000 students. Visit SilverDollarCityFoundation.com to learn more.