Child care in Oregon has garnered significant attention lately due to our ever-evolving economy, inflation, and the rising cost of child care, which has become unattainable for some. This has motivated nonprofit organizations working with child care programs to employ creative solutions addressing these issues and aiding child care educators in creating supplemental income and delivering quality care in their communities.
The Oregon Child Care Alliance was founded in 2021 to support Oregon child care educators, aiming to stabilize the child care industry while ensuring our children receive the highest quality early education possible. By providing business owners with free membership, they receive business coaching, child care software, mental health and legal services, and more at no cost. This support enables members to streamline and maximize their time, preparing them for the future of their businesses to ensure quality child care throughout Oregon communities.
The Oregon Child Care Alliance recognizes the dedication of early educators in providing a loving and nurturing environment for their students. To celebrate their success and highlight their passion for their work, the Educator Spotlight was created. From those who navigated the challenges of the pandemic to those who started post-pandemic, acknowledgment and recognition are extended to these business owners.
Educator Spotlight: Maria Alcala
Maria Alcala is the director of Happy Faces Child Care, LLC, a Spanish-speaking bilingual school located in Southern Oregon. Maria has always wanted to work with children and pursued teaching in Mexico. Since moving to the States, she has been running her business for 21 years. Maria and her team of educators use the Creative Curriculum, adapting it to meet the needs of her 16 students and often drawing inspiration from other teaching styles. Maria’s team encourages students to express, explore, and use their voices. Her motivation has always been to see her students follow their dreams. With Maria’s own daughter turning 21 and her son leaving for college, she watches her children grow and pursue their dreams alongside the growth of her small business. Her pride in her students is evident from their entry into her program to their graduation; Maria maintains a photo timeline that is presented to them upon completion of their time with her.
As a member of the Oregon Child Care Alliance, Maria receives early educator business coaching, which keeps her and her employees up-to-date with training opportunities, teacher conferences, and professional development through the Child Care Resource & Referral of Southern Oregon. Additionally, the free software subscription Maria receives from OCCA helps her manage the billing process, streamline administrative tasks, handle taxes, and minimize repetitive data entry. This software has also provided Maria with a safe and secure platform for communication. With these streamlined processes, Maria has more time to spend with her students and has freed up time in her personal life. The coaching, software, time management tools, OCCA perks, support, and collaboration set the stage for an exciting future for Maria’s business.
To learn more about Maria’s program and availability, please visit Happy Faces Child Care Development.
To learn more about the Oregon Child Care Alliance or apply for membership, please visit www.oregonchildcarealliance.org.
