2023-2024 Odessa City Guide Page 19 Schools Day cares Bright Beginnings Academy The Odessa R-VII Childcare Center opened its doors in August 2018. The facility is offered to school district faculty, staff and community at a reasonable rate. Located at 402 West College Street, directly behind McQuerry Elementary School, the center has an infant room, rooms for children ages 1, 2, 3 and 4, and 4 and 5 year old preschool room. Center hours are 6:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and Odessa R-VII Childcare Center is open during days the school district is in session, during teacher work days, in-service days, summer school and during parent-teacher conferences. Center is not open during summer school. Further information may be obtained by contacting Wendy Reynolds, director at 816-633-5437. Bright Beginnings School Age Center, 1701 W. Main St., was originally a part of the Bright Beginnings Academy. In 2021, Victoria Barker sold Bright Beginnings Academy and founded the Bright Beginnings School Age Center in 2020, which serves the needs of children ages 5-12 years old. Center is open before school beginning at 6 a.m. and after school until 6 p.m. In the summer, center is open from 6 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Barker is currently a second grade teacher at Odessa Upper Elementary, and the School Age Center is run by Kandis Lancaster, who has worked with Barker for eight years. The two believe parents need a place to take their children and know they will be receiving an educational experience with love and nurturing from adults who truly care about each child as their own person. She wants to provide an environment for learning and growth. Bright Beginnings School Age Center Bright Beginnings Academy, 305 A North Park Lane, was purchased in January of 2021 by Rayna Young who has a Bachelor of Science degree in education from the University of Central Missouri. A staff of 17 care for approximately 100 students ages birth to 6 years, offering quality child care 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Bright Beginnings is proud to serve the community with a Pre-K curriculum based on kindergarten readiness. All classrooms run on an age-appropriate curriculum based on appropriate milestones and learning through play. Bright Beginnings Academy is partnered with Early Head Start, which pays for class fees and required items such as diapers and formula for eight qualifying children ages birth-two years. Rayna Young, director, said the partnership has a goal of allowing all children to receive quality child care. A 2018 expansion allowed for an update of both playgrounds and addition of a sensory room to the facility.
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