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Why Hazleton Parents Call This Daycare Owner a ‘Lifesaver’
Meet Ivalisse Eufracio-Childs: Building Bridges Through Bilingual Childcare in Hazleton
Editor’s Note: This story is part of our series "Voices of Hazleton: Bridging Cultures, Building Community," where we spotlight Hispanic leaders making a difference in our neighborhoods.
Why Early Childhood Care Matters
Imagine a child’s brain is like a tiny sponge. The first 2,000 days of life (that’s about 5.5 years) are when that sponge soaks up the most. Child psychologists agree this is the most critical time for development. That’s why many families look for preschool programs—to give their kids a head start on learning letters, numbers, and how to play nicely with others.
In Hazleton, hundreds of new students enter kindergarten every year. But finding the right care before kindergarten can be tough, especially for families who speak Spanish at home.
A Solution Is Born: Little All Stars Care Center
Ivalisse Eufracio-Childs saw this problem firsthand. Families told her: "We can’t find bilingual childcare in Hazleton."
So in 2023, she opened Little All Stars Care Center at 30 E Broad St. in West Hazleton.
Important Point: Ivalisse didn’t just open a daycare. She created a place where:
- Kids learn in both English and Spanish
- Parents can work day or night shifts knowing their children are safe
- Families stay together and supported
Ivalisse’s Journey: From the Dominican Republic to Hazleton
Ivalisse’s path to opening Little All Stars is a story of resilience and heart.
Early Life & Teaching Roots
- Born and raised in Santiago, Dominican Republic
- 2004: Moved to the U.S. permanently with her two children
- Lived in New York for 8 years, working as an assistant kindergarten and first-grade teacher
- This is where she learned the skills she uses today at Little All Stars
Finding Home in Hazleton
- 2012: Visited family in Hazleton and fell in love with the nature and community
- Decided to make Hazleton her permanent home
The Winding Road Before Little All Stars
After moving, Ivalisse tried to keep teaching but found the pay and benefits weren’t enough. She worked many jobs to support her family:
- Amazon warehouse worker
- Bank teller
- Loan servicer
- Office secretary
Through it all, she never stopped serving the community.
A Leader in the Community
Ivalisse wears many hats beyond being a daycare owner. Here are just a few of her roles:
- Member, PA Human Relations Commission
- Member, PA Board Adviser
- Member, Latinos Educando Juntos
- Member, National Association for the Education of Young Children
- Ran for school board three times (earning thousands of votes each time!)
- Volunteers with multiple community organizations
Important Point: Even when she wasn’t running a daycare, Ivalisse was always working to uplift Hazleton families.
A Partnership Built on Respect: Ivalisse & Robert Childs
Ivalisse’s husband, Robert Childs, has a unique perspective—he was her son’s pediatrician when they first met!
- First meeting: Doctor-parent relationship
- Later: Ivalisse worked as a secretary in his office
- Challenges: She faced discrimination at that job and left
- Turning point: She asked Robert for advice on working with children
- Result: Their bond grew into marriage and a shared mission
Robert describes Ivalisse as:
"Hardworking, a kind mother, and the strongest person I have ever met."
They even ran for school board together on the same platform. Robert won a seat; Ivalisse narrowly missed out—but her impact continues outside elected office.
The Reality of Running a Daycare: Challenges & Triumphs
Running Little All Stars hasn’t been easy. Ivalisse shares the honest truth:
Staffing Struggles
| When Opened (2023) | Now |
|---|---|
| 5 employees | 2 employees |
| 24 children enrolled | 14 children (state max for 2 caregivers) |
Why the change?
- Wages can’t compete with big employers like Amazon
- Ivalisse spends much more time hands-on than she planned
- This means less time with her own kids and grandkids
But There’s Good News!
Ivalisse isn’t worried about the families she serves because more bilingual options have opened since Little All Stars:
- Little Bear Child Care (West Hazleton)
- Bumblebee Preschool (Hazleton)
Important Point: Ivalisse’s goal was never to be the only option—it was to fill a gap. That gap is now being filled by others, too. Mission accomplished.
What’s Next for Ivalisse?
Even as she thinks about the future of Little All Stars, Ivalisse isn’t slowing down.
- She plans to eventually pass the daycare to a new owner
- But she will not stop serving the community
- Her dream: keep caring for people in new ways, even in retirement
In her own words:
"The people who know me usually describe me as a strong woman, but I don’t agree. I’ve had to be strong because of my life, but deep down I’ve always seen myself as a caring person, and I hope to continue caring for people even after I pass my daycare to another owner."
Summary: Key Takeaways
- Ivalisse Eufracio-Childs founded Little All Stars Care Center to solve the lack of bilingual childcare in Hazleton
- Her center offers day and night care, helping parents work needed shifts
- She brings teaching experience from New York and a lifelong commitment to community service
- Despite staffing challenges (low wages vs. corporate competition), she’s proud other bilingual centers have opened
- Ivalisse views herself not as "strong," but as deeply caring—and plans to keep serving Hazleton long after the daycare
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Where is Little All Stars Care Center located?
30 E Broad St., West Hazleton, PA
What makes Little All Stars different from other daycares?
It provides bilingual (English/Spanish) care and offers flexible hours including night shifts, which many working parents desperately need.
Why did Ivalisse open the center?
She heard from many families that they couldn’t find bilingual childcare in Hazleton. She wanted to keep families together by letting parents work without worry.
Is Ivalisse still involved in the community outside the daycare?
Absolutely! She serves on multiple commissions and boards, has run for school board three times, and volunteers widely. Her husband Robert Childs is currently on the school board.
What are her future plans?
She hopes to transition ownership of the daycare someday but promises to keep serving the Hazleton community in new ways—because caring for people is who she is at heart.
Read the previous story in this series:
Bridging the Gap: How One Volunteer’s Dedication Fuels the Hazleton Integration Project
