1966 

A joint effort between low income persons living in a nearby housing complex and Church Women United formed a not-for-profit corporation: Jefferson City Day Care Centers, Inc. The corporations' Board of Directors consisted of five women from the Tenants Club and five women from United Church Women.  The Board decided the best way to serve the community would be to operate through a state licensed day care facility, and submitted a proposal to the  Office of Equal Opportunity to start a day care center for low-income children so that mothers on welfare and other low-income families could work and have reliable child care with a child development educational base at no cost. Their goal was to allow the families served to work so they could become independent of public assistance and the children would have a better chance of success in school.

1967

The Center received a grant from OEO from Project Head Start funds for the amount of $49, 437.   OEO funds were matched with in-kind labor and monies in excess of 20%. Church Women United, several parents in the projects, and many volunteers donated hundreds of hours.  In June, the center opened its doors in the Housing Authority supplied building and had a full complement (30) of children enrolled by the fall.

1968

The parents began paying $15.00 per month and agreed to handle the laundry, do repairs and general maintenance.  The United States Department of Agriculture provided commodities to help cover food costs.

1970

The Board applied for United Way funds, started a sliding fee scale for parents, and the United Church of Christ on Washington Street donated space for additional programs.

1972

The Center moved into our current building on Myrtle Avenue, using the upper level for thirty children. Head Start used the lower level.

1984

The center expanded to both levels, and increased the licensed capacity to 67 children.   Head Start relocated to a building on Cherry Street .

1992

The center added an infant-toddler and expanded the license to 99 children.

 2001

Jefferson City Day Care Center collaborated with Parents as Teachers and two staff members were trained as Parent Educators. 

2006

Jefferson City Day Care celebrates its 40th year in business! Center receives Martin Luther King, Jr. Award for Excellence in Education. Foster Grandmother, Doris Hickman, receives the President's Volunteer of the Year Award from President George W. Bush.

2009

Jefferson City Day Care contracts with Central Missouir Community Action to provide 16 Early Head Start positions in the day care center.