Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center (MVESC) celebrated the completion of its brand new year-round childcare center, Little Farmers Academy, with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Administration and staff, along with the Zanesville-Muskingum Chamber of Commerce, the J.W. & M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation, and members of the community, joined in on the celebration.
This is the third childcare center that is run by MVESC. The others are located in South Zanesville and New Lexington. The center also supervises and coordinates preschool programs in local school districts.
“So, the building was sitting empty, and our superintendent, Monte Bainter, drove past it multiple times and just felt like, you know, it really was a need. And everywhere, you know, we go, we hear childcare, childcare, childcare. There’s a need for quality child care. So, it was sort of his brainstorm to begin with to buy this building and reopen it. It was built to be a childcare facility, so it was ideal. …. It’s a beautiful facility, and we have some opportunities to do some workforce development collaborations, and we’re really excited about continuing to grow our childcare network,” said Krystal McFarland, Director of Early Childhood Services at Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center.
MVESC Little Farmers Academy uses “Frog Street” curriculum which McFarland described as a research-based curriculum that focuses on the whole child.
The building is about 12,000 square feet. There are 10 classrooms, all with adjoining bathrooms, a gross motor area in the middle, an upstairs for staff with a kitchenette, and a workspace. Outside, there is playground space and a basketball court. A large grassy area to the back will eventually be developed at a later date.
The furniture, infrastructure, and new play equipment that will be installed soon have all been made possible through a donation from the J.W. & M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation.
Enrollment is now open for children as young as six weeks old to preschool age. Before and after school care for school-age students will be available as well. The official opening day for MVESC Little Farmers Academy will be Monday, October 6, 2025.
“We’re looking forward to serving families, helping to support families, the workforce, and the community. We’re just excited about this venture, McFarland said.
MVESC Little Farmers Academy is located at 1592 Fairview Rd., Zanesville, just off of Northpointe Drive. The enrollment application can be found on their website, mvesc.org/for-parents/childcare. For further information, or to schedule a tour, call 740-452-4518, or email krystal.mcfarland@mvesc.org.
