Business : Happy Time Child Development Center acquired by Bright Futures Child Care Center

The Board of Directors is excited to announce that Happy Time Child Development Center doing business as Vinton Early Learning Center (VELC) has been acquired by Bright Futures Child Care Center.

Happy Time Child Development Center, a nonprofit childcare center, has been serving the Vinton community and surrounding areas since 1972.

The childcare industry, like many other businesses, has been financially impacted by the pandemic and the recent economic issues in ways that our center continues to fight. We have seen an increase in costs in supplies, utilities, insurance coverage and overall operation cost of the building and property maintenance. Over the years, the Board of Directors and staff have worked hard to find grant opportunities that provided funds for necessary improvements to the center and to offset costs in certain areas of our budget with the primary goal to keep our enrollment cost at an affordable rate for the families in our communities. While these grants did provide us with some amazing improvements, they did not, however, help with the operating costs associated with running a childcare facility. The operation of Happy Time Child Development Center cannot sustain the cost of operating the building as a non-profit; therefore, the Board of Directors has voted to accept the purchase offer for Real Estate and Business Assets of Happy Time Child Development Center to keep the center as a daycare facility in the area.

Bright Futures Child Care Center is small women-owned business, owned by Bree Hepker and Molly Stark. Bree and Molly also own Early Beginnings Atkins, Inc, a childcare center located in Atkins. Bree is also the owner of Early Beginnings, Inc, a childcare center located in Van Horne. Bree and Molly have over 40 years combined experience in the childcare industry, and we are excited to have them as new business owners in the Vinton area. We are excited about this opportunity to see the center remain as a childcare facility and to grow this business in the Vinton area. The transition of ownership of real estate and assets will occur at the end of August 2025.

A little history about the new owners; Bree Hepker, holds an associate degree in early childhood education, opened her first childcare center in Van Horne in 2000. In 2012, she partnered with Molly Stark, whose background in business administration helped support their expansion into the Atkins community. Bree and Molly are excited to bring their passion for childcare to Vinton. This is especially meaningful to Bree, as her oldest son and his family live in town, and her grandchild attends Tilford Elementary School. Bright Futures is proud to specialize in nurturing care for infants through preschoolers, while also offering before and after school care for school-age children. This includes older siblings of enrolled younger children, as well as families seeking additional support for their school-age kids. We understand the importance of keeping children together and making daily routines easier for busy families. To learn more or inquire about enrollment, families can email BrightFuturesCCC25@gmail.com.

The Board of Directors looks forward to Welcoming Bright Futures Child Care Center to Vinton and we want to thank the community for the support it has shown Happy

Time Child Development Center throughout the years. This was not a decision that was taken lightly but we know that Molly and Bree will carry on the passion for childcare in Vinton.