Shepherd ISD installs day care

Children are welcomed to the new facility.

Special to the News-Times

SHEPHERD — As school districts across the state grapple with teacher recruitment and retention challenges, Shepherd ISD has taken a proactive step by introducing an employee daycare program.

Recognizing the need for daycare services among its staff, Shepherd launched its district-run Early Learning Center this month.

Designed to accommodate SISD staff children ranging from 6 weeks to Pre-K age, the ELC operates under the licensure of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

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Shepherd ISD ELC’s goal is to establish a secure and nurturing environment that facilitates the growth, learning, and laughter of its youngest members, affectionately referred to as “little pirates.”

Brittany Ellis, an instructional coach at Shepherd Intermediate School, is among the 13 Shepherd employees who participate in this program, and said the new program gives her a sense of security.

“The ELC attends to my child’s needs so I can concentrate on my students,” she said.

Ellis said the daycare solution has played an important role in her continued commitment to the district. The availability of reliable and high-quality daycare services not only enables teachers like Ellis to balance their professional responsibilities with their parental duties but also contributes to the overall morale and job satisfaction of staff within Shepherd ISD.