Affordable housing, affordable health insurance, and affordable child care can all be placed under the "staples of life" umbrella. Housing and health care have drawn national attention and have movements in action, but daycare is a rung down on the ladder.

Current research has shown that the early developmental years are crucial for a path to a healthy adulthood. More daycare in Mineral County has been on the list of needs for several years, and now the Alberton Early Learning Center (AELC) is open for business.

AELC is a safe place where children up to 5 years old can learn through play and outdoor adventures to grow and thrive in the classroom.

Felicity Day, who goes by Mrs. Day to students and anyone who might struggle with her first name, is an energetic young mother of two. She and her husband purchased their property in 2019 and moved from Colorado in 2020, where she had been a preschool teacher.

"I started at the Alberton School because I wanted to get to know my community and the people. I needed to get a feeling for the area before I opened the school," she explained."I'm finding that some people do not know the difference between daycare and early childhood education, so that is something I'm working on.

"An early learning center is a school. We are educators, we are caregivers, we are role models, and we are here to help your child grow."

Day is going through the licensing process, but it is legal for her to be open now.

"Back in Denver, I could teach pre-K and preschool with my associate degree, and I did that for 10 years. But here in Montana, to be a certified teacher, a bachelor's degree is required, so I'm completing my degree through the University of Montana, Western (Dillon) online."

AELC is open year-round, with drop-in care starting soon. Drop-in care scheduling will be done online, eliminating phone-tag availability.

Each day has a different theme with different subjects that Day will teach.

"It's important to have kids in an early learning program. It does not have to be full time. Whether two, three, or five days a week, an early learning program will help kids socially, emotionally, and academically prepare for pre-K," she stresses.

She uses High Scope, which follows the Montana Early Learning Standards. It's comprehensive curriculum and simple yet exciting and fun.

"It's important to have a consistent schedule as children thrive that way," she smiles.

AELC serves breakfast and two snacks to each student. Once she is licensed, she will start accepting Best Beginnings, the childcare assistance program in Montana, and lunch will also be served.

Day will help with the paperwork if parents would like assistance because the entire family must succeed.

"I'm passionate about this! I am dedicated to Alberton Early Learning and its potential," she said.

The ALEC is next to the Day home and has a preschool area, an area for toddlers, and an infant room used for naps from 1 to 2:30 p.m. With 12 acres, the warmer weather will also bring more time allocated for outdoor adventures and a larger facility is in the works. Day is looking for another early childhood co-teacher as she expands the school.

"It's not an assistant because we are in this together. Someone who will help with lesson plans and cleanup and changing diapers but has to have an honest love of children."

There are openings now for children. Day is delighted to give tours on Mondays and Wednesdays. She can be reached at (406) 333-1531 or visit online at www.albertonlearningcenter.com.