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Arlington Childcare reports full enrollment, seeks infrastructure grant and county support
Summary
Ashley Bayless, director of Arlington Childcare, told the Gilliam County Court the center reached full enrollment (16 spots) with a waiting list and will apply for a new childcare infrastructure grant; the court offered to provide a letter of support.
Ashley Bayless, director of Arlington Childcare, told the Gilliam County Court on Sept. 17 that her center is approaching its first year and currently has full enrollment of 16 licensed spots with a waiting list. Bayless said families from nearby communities bring children on Fridays and described plans to apply immediately for a newly opened childcare infrastructure grant.
Bayless said the center learned lessons from mixed-age-group summer enrollment and would like a separate room or “pod” for older children and an improved playground. She said the center is pursuing fundraising, donations from local businesses and applied for a $5,000 grant tied to a business class she completed; the center missed a separate operational-support grant window and hopes to make up the shortfall through local support.
County leadership offered a letter of support for Bayless’s infrastructure application and encouraged coordination with local businesses. Bayless said community support has been strong and that additional space would allow the center to ease the waiting list and separate age groups for safety and programming.
The County did not authorize direct funding at the meeting but offered staff assistance and a letter to support the grant application; next steps include Bayless submitting application materials and county staff preparing a support letter on request.
