In 2000, Fred Epstein, owner of Indeeco, held a meeting at the Franklin Street Café with a group of local businesspeople and citizens to discuss the level of interest for a childcare center in Cuba. He believed local parents in the community needed and wanted more resources for safe oversight watching their children while they worked, as well as providing early education opportunities.
Fred opened first facility in St. Louis. He built a childcare center next door to meet the needs of his workforce and named it after his mother. Due to the success of that concept, when he opened his manufacturing plant in Cuba and recognized that his employees had similar childcare needs to those of his St. Louis staff, he decided to see what others thought about opening a childcare establishment that doubled as an early education program. In January 2001, a survey was conducted among various businesses. The results established that others saw the same need as Fred Epstein.
Another Crawford County citizen group had aspirations to build a recreation center. Joining forces, the two agreed it would be best to focus on the childcare center as Phase 1 and the recreational center as Phase II. In October 2001, the Crawford County Foundation, Inc. or CCF, a not-for-profit organization, was formed. Rachel Wallis Andreasson served as its first Board President.
In 2002, the organization secured $350,000 worth of Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credits (NAP) and the fundraising began. CCF raised over $800,000.00 in additional monies to put toward building a 7,500 square foot state of the art childcare center. By October of that same year, plans were presented to the City of Cuba for building a childcare facility and recreational center at Tangle Creek Park. The vote was approved.
In March 2003, after submitting final architect plans, the city council rescinded the vote. The CCF Board then worked to secure another site. Fortunately, local residents, Kim and Dennis Roedemeier, told a board member that CCF could look at some of their property adjacent to Hood Park. After much discussion, the Roedemeier’s donated 2.6 acres to CCF and construction on the childcare center began.
The ribbon cutting for All Aboard Learning Center (“AALC”) took place on October 1, 2004. The first children crossed the threshold to begin their early education on October 18, 2004.
AALC became accredited through the Missouri Accreditation Association on February 24, 2011, and is the only accredited facility in Crawford or Phelps County providing care for infants and toddlers, and the only year-round accredited facility for preschool age children. Further, AALC is an Advanced Eat Smart/Move Smart Certified Center, a designation that promotes optimal nutritional and physical activity policies within the center.
Research shows the importance of an effective early education program in a child’s development and success later in life. AALC’s goal is to provide safe, effective, and evidence-based early education to young children so they are “kindergarten ready” once they enter the public school system. In Cuba, each year 20% of children entering Kindergarten are not deemed to be “ready.” Yet, Crawford County RII school district compliments AALC graduates as consistently “being kindergarten ready.”
Today, All Aboard Learning Center is licensed to serve over 100 children ranging from infants to school age. It falls under the Crawford County Foundation (CCF) 501c3 status. Both the CCF Board and the AALC Parent Board are 100% volunteer-led.
The CCF board and our members are proud we could help bring quality childcare to our community. When you drive by or visit AALC today, hearing the squeals and laughter of our children should offer a great reminder that this important work is impacting tomorrow’s citizens and leaders.
AALC is funded through a mix of tuition and donations. Given Crawford County is a low-income community, AALC intentionally sets tuition rates at a level that is affordable for county residents. The resulting shortfall in operating needs is filled by community donations. We would love your consideration of a gift that would sustain this model for the future!
- AALC Mission – To provide a safe, enriching environment for all children, families and staff with a growth mindset where each child’s social-emotional, character and cognitive development is our priority.
- AALC Vision – To provide access to the best care for infant/toddler, preschool and school-age children, for the best outcomes