Running a childcare program takes heart, dedication, and a strong support system. For Kristie, a provider in rural Mississippi, quality is at the core of everything she does.
With the help of Subpool and Wonderschool, Kristie has been able to maintain her high standards while also managing the challenges that come with running a business. These tools have not only made her life easier but have also strengthened the community of support around her.
One of the most intentional decisions Kristie has made is keeping her class sizes small. Instead of focusing on maximizing numbers, she prioritizes individualized attention for each child.
"What makes our program so wonderful is that we have a small group of kids with two teachers. I know at the school district level, there's at least 20 to 22 kids to one teacher. I have eight teachers. I have five classrooms.
We have no more than eight kids per classroom.
What makes us different is - the state says we can have 20 kids to one teacher, we're not doing that.
We want those children that need that extra help, that small environment to get it, and that's what we're doing."
This speaks to Kristie’s dedication to excellence, understanding that smaller groups allow for more meaningful interactions, personalized learning, and stronger relationships with both children and parents. By ensuring that every child in her care gets the attention they deserve, she is creating an intentional, nurturing, and high-quality environment—something that all parents can appreciate.
“We are a nonprofit organization and we are here for the kids and the community."
One of Kristie’s biggest challenges is ensuring that when staffing gaps arise, quality doesn’t suffer. That’s where Subpool has been a game-changer for Kristie. Finding reliable substitutes who align with her high standards is crucial, and Subpool gives her access to a network of qualified professionals who can step in when needed.
“Before Subpool, it was stressful, a teacher would call in, somebody gets sick, and now I’m like, okay what am I going to do because I don't have a teacher that can be here. So it was really stressful before Subpool.”
Having access to a trusted substitute pool means she doesn’t have to choose between sacrificing on quality and ensuring she has enough coverage. SubPool makes both possible.
“If a teacher went on leave or something, I am able to put in for a sub while I’m in the process of interviewing and hiring someone to be there full time. But before it was really stressful. And now, after a few subs showed up, they’re texting me now! Every time I post a job they snatch it up. Within minutes!”
Subpool allows Kristie to maintain high-quality care even with unexpected personnel changes. This network of teachers allows her to focus on her program and her kids instead of frantically finding her own substitutes, particularly in a rural area.
One of the most common questions about Subpool and Wonderschool is whether these tools work in rural areas where resources and staffing options may be more limited. For Kristie, a child care provider in a small Mississippi town with a population of just 2,500 people, the answer is a resounding yes.
“Oh, it’s definitely a rural area. We have a population, I think, of like 2,500 people. So it’s definitely a small population. The school district is small. Our elementary school maybe has, I think, like 300 children in pre-K through fifth grade. And I think the whole total school district is like 900 kids.”
Despite being in a small community, Kristie has built a thriving childcare program—and she credits Subpool and Wonderschool for helping her manage it more effectively after having challenges finding substitutes in the past.
At first, she wasn’t sure a system like this could even exist for child care providers in her area.
"I know in the school districts, they have subs. But as far as after-school centers, daycares, we never had that—where we can go in and put in for a job and somebody pull up for that job.”
Kristie can now find qualified substitutes in her small town and surrounding areas, ensuring her program continues running smoothly no matter the challenges.
Her success is proof that even in rural communities, high-quality childcare can thrive with the right support. Subpool helps her fill gaps when needed, and Wonderschool streamlines the administrative side—allowing her to focus on what truly matters: providing a nurturing and enriching environment for children.
For child care providers in rural areas wondering if this can work for them- Kristie’s experience proves that it absolutely can.
Kristie’s experience proves that quality childcare isn’t about location—it’s about having the right support, resources, and mindset. By focusing on quality, leveraging SubPool for flexible staffing, and using Wonderschool to streamline operations, she has built a program that prioritizes her students, their families and her larger community.
For government leaders seeking solutions to the child care crisis, Wonderschool offers proven strategies to expand access and quality in all communities including rural areas. Learn how Wonderschool can help.
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