Safe, loving care for your child + support for your family.
A childcare built on love, safety, identity and Jesus – designed to nurture growth at every stage.
A nonprofit childcare center serving Bloomington–Normal families.
We provide safe, high-quality childcare for children and families who need stability and support. Through dependable care, before- and after-school programs, and wraparound family services, we partner with parents to help children grow, learn, and thrive.
Our approach is designed to support the whole family—because when parents are supported, children flourish.
The childcare center will teach every child the love of Christ and how to live with a Biblical worldview.
Interested in teaching at Joshua Tree? Reach Out
OPENING SPRING 2026
Classrooms designed to meet children where they are and help them grow from there.
Infants
6 WEEKS – 15 MONTHS
A calm, nurturing environment designed to support early development through sensory exploration, movement, and individualized care. Our infant room prioritizes safety, routine, and responsive relationships so babies feel secure as they grow.
Toddlers
15 MONTHS – 24 MONTHS
A playful, supportive environment designed to encourage early socialization, language growth, and motor skill development. Through play-based learning and guided exploration, toddlers build confidence, curiosity, and independence.
COMING SOON
Twos
2 YEARS OLD
A structured, playful environment that supports growing independence, motor skills, and early learning concepts like colors, shapes, and counting. Through hands-on activities and social interaction, children build confidence, communication, and self-help skills.
COMING SOON
Preschool
3 – 4 YEARS OLD
A supportive, engaging learning environment that builds confidence, communication, and friendships while introducing foundational academic concepts. Through play-based and structured activities, children develop early literacy, math, and social skills.
COMING SOON
Before/After School
5 YEARS – 12 YEARS OLD
A balanced before and after school program offering homework support, mentoring, creative activities, and active play. Children are supported in a safe, encouraging environment that promotes responsibility, connection, and growth.
COMING SOON
Frequently asked questions
What ages will the childcare serve?
Joshua Tree Childcare will serve children from 6 weeks through 12 years of age.
Is the childcare free? Does it cost?
Childcare is tuition-based and comparable to other daycare centers. Joshua Tree is designed to primarily serve families impacted by generational poverty, with approximately 75% of enrolled families receiving support through state financial aid and Joshua Tree scholarships. The remaining 25% of seats are reserved for full-pay families, whose tuition helps strengthen the program and expand access for others. Each family will be supported with an individualized plan to ensure care is accessible and sustainable.
Where will it be located?
806 Bell Street will be the home of the childcare center in the heart of Bloomington, Illinois.
What is your mission?
Our Mission is to provide an environment of love, identity, safety, and Jesus. We begin with love, create safety, nurture identity, and point families to Jesus as the source of lasting growth and transformation.
How can I partner with the childcare center?
We’ll need various types of partnerships from staff members, to donors, to volunteers. Go to our partner page to learn how you can team up with us.
How will this be different from other daycare centers?
We exist to do more than provide childcare. Our heart is to walk alongside families and equip them with the support, stability, and tools they need to thrive. At Joshua Tree, children are nurtured in an environment of love, safety, identity, and Jesus, while parents are supported through intentional partnerships, encouragement, and access to resources. We believe strong families build strong futures.
By addressing both the needs of the child and the family, we work toward our vision of empowering families to break free from the grasp of generational poverty and ensuring children have equitable beginnings.
Like most childcare centers, tuition is based on the number of children enrolled and their ages. Some families use government assistance, while others pay privately.
For families who need additional support, scholarships are available thanks to the generosity of donors. These scholarships are designed to be flexible and supportive, with options that may include reduced tuition, participation in parenting classes, or other agreed-upon steps—depending on each family’s situation.
Our goal is to partner with families in a way that is tailored to their needs.
Questions about enrollment? Reach Out
Our Values + Pathway
Our values are more than ideals — they chart a pathway of transformation, meeting practical and spiritual needs in a way that is both Biblical and research-based.
1
LOVE
THE SEED
Love opens the door. Many families living in poverty have experience judgement, rejection or neglect. To break cycles, they first need to feel genuinely loved and welcomed.
Outcome: Love softens hearts and builds trust so transformation can begin.
2
SAFETY
THE SOIL
Once love is established, people must feel safe – physically, emotionally and spiritually. Without safety, growth can’t happen.
Outcome: Safety reduces fear, stabilizes children, and helps parents breathe again, and walls come down.
3
IDENTITY
THE ROOTS
In a safe and loving environment, individuals can rediscover who they are – beyond poverty, trauma, or labels.
Outcome: Children and parents alike begin to believe they can dream, belong, and rise above generational poverty.
4
JESUS
THE FRUIT
Jesus is both the destination and the sustainer. In Him, families discover lasting freedom — not just relief from poverty, but true transformation of heart and life.
Outcome: Jesus breaks the chains of generational poverty at the root and offers new life.
Opening Spring 2026
