New child care options open on Westside
A new affordable child care facility has opened on the Westside. With the completion of the SPARK Apartments on North Temple, Neighborhood House has established a satellite child care campus on the site. Photo by Julisa Olivera.
A new satellite daycare center has opened its doors at the SPARK apartment complex on North Temple, bringing affordable, high-quality childcare to local families and residents. Operated by Neighborhood House, this center is part of an innovative partnership that combines affordable housing with accessible daycare — a model that Executive Director Jennifer Nuttall calls “the right solution at the right time.”
“We believe everyone deserves quality,” says Nuttall. “Our mission is to make sure families — whether they live here or in the surrounding community — can access early education and care without breaking the bank.”
The daycare center is located on the first floor of SPARK apartment complex (1490 W North Temple) and currently serves children from 15 months up to kindergarten, with plans to expand next year by adding a toddler classroom. Enrollment is open to both residents and community members, helping to reduce the long waitlist at Neighborhood House’s main campus. Fees are based on a sliding scale, capped at 7% of family income, in line with Health and Human Services guidelines.
Since the apartments are centrally located, the drop-off and pick-up is easy for the parents, both those residing in the building and those residing in the nearby neighborhoods.
This daycare location was a result of a partnership between the Neighborhood House and Brinshore Development, developers behind the SPARK apartments who focus on sustainable, community-focused affordable housing. The construction costs were supported by the Community Reinvestment Agency (CRA), helping to reduce the overall cost of the daycare center.
The new daycare center is part of a mixed-use development along North Temple in the SPARK Apartments. The new facility aims to make early childhood education more accessible for Westside residents. Photo by David Ricketts.
However, ongoing operational expenses continue to rely on the fees and additional fundraising. To bridge the funding gap, Neighborhood House partners with foundations, corporations, and individual donors. This year, the loss of government funding has made community contributions more important than ever and any donations, large or small, are welcomed.
Looking Ahead, Neighborhood House hopes to expand this model, with plans for future satellite locations and continued support for families across the Westside. “Daycare is expensive to do — but it’s necessary,” says Nuttall. “We’re committed to providing full-day, wraparound services and early education for children. This is the model our country needs.”
Opportunities to get involved:
Donate: Financial contributions, thrift store donations, and food pantry donations are always welcome. On January 20th, Neighborhood House will host an Intergenerational Resource Fair and Free Thrift Shop event for the clients — please donate items for this wonderful event.
Volunteer: Opportunities are available to help in the daycare center, assist with events, and support the main campus kitchen that provides meals and snacks to the satellite locations, among others.
Job Opportunities: Neighborhood House is always hiring, offering entry-level positions with training and professional development. If you’re interested in working with children and supporting families, Neighborhood House wants to hear from you.