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Light of Life shines in child care services

The Daily Inter Lake - 4/25/2021

Apr. 25—An abiding passion for kids is what inspires the staff at Light of Life Child Care to be an award-winning facility.

Located at 2121 U.S. 2 E. in Evergreen, Light of Life Child Care opened July 2017. Owner and director Hannah Owens operates the fully licensed group childcare together with two employees. The home serves 12 children a day, primarily ages 0 to 5.

In January of 2020 Owens applied for and was accepted to the Montana Department Health and Human Services' voluntary Best Beginnings STARS to Quality Program, a continuing quality improvement program for early childhood education in Montana. According the Department's website, the program's mission is to support high quality early care and education programs for child care through a quality rating and improvement system that strengthens programs and practitioners with improvement strategies and assists families to make informed decisions.

"All of us receive hours and hours of training in a variety of skills through the Stars to Quality program," Owens said, "It offers a lot of guidance, from proper hand washing to social and emotional skill development. The program has helped us gain greater knowledge and given us opportunities to continue to improve and provide the best quality child care services we can offer."

In 2020, Light of Life Child Care garnered the Daily Inter Lake's coveted Best of the Flathead Award for day cares.

Owens credits the success of her child care to her deep convictions about caring for children.

"I definitely have the passion for kids, as do my employees," Owen said. "I have an amazing staff. It's all about team. We create a loving, comforting, nurturing environment for the kids.

"We serve their social and emotional needs, and provide learning, safety and health activities for them. They see they are loved. They trust us. I can just see the joy in them when they come in. It's their home."

Along with Light of Life Child care being licensed and registered by the state of Montana, Owens and her employees are all CPR and First Aid certified.

"Giving these kids a happy, safe place is one of the most rewarding things about my job," Owens said. "We want these kids to grow and be successful. When they leave they're more than ready for kindergarten. "They can problem solve. They've made great friendships here."

Owens continues to see a high demand in the Flathead Valley for child care. There is currently a waiting list for Light of Life Child Care. If you are interesting in learning more or enrolling your child, you can leave a message on the Facebook page, lightoflifechildcare; email hannah@lightoflifekalispell.com; or call 885-1647.

Community Editor Carol Marino can be reached at 406-758-4440 or cmarino@dailyinterlake.com

photo

Hannah Owens at Light of Life Child Care on Wednesday, April 14. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)

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