{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Ep. 199 - Follow Your True Calling with Rachel Davis","description":" This is an inspiring and impactful episode with Rachel Davis, founder of Children\u2019s Promise Centers, an early childhood program in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Operating 20 hours daily, her centers provide critical support for working families often overlooked by traditional child care models.   Rachel chats with Kris about her journey from the Denver Rescue Mission to creating a faith-driven, community-focused child care network where high standards, deep relationships, and genuine care intersect.   She shares the heart behind her mission to support nontraditional working families through innovative programming and reflects on her leadership evolution, from being hands-on with every detail to stepping into a visionary role. Rachel also discusses navigating hiring challenges, working with refugee families, and building a program where inclusion, safety, and excellence are the foundation.   Key Takeaways: [5:33] Rachel launched Children\u2019s Promise Centers in 2009. Now she operates two locations in Albuquerque and is open 20 hours a day, serving families who need flexible care. [6:37] Her journey began in Denver at the Rescue Mission, where she discovered a passion for supporting the working poor. [10:50] Starting Children\u2019s Promise wasn\u2019t easy \u2014 Rachel faced funding barriers and self-doubt but found clarity by leaning into faith. [13:29] One grant rejection helped her clarify her mission \u2014 family support, not just academic outcomes. [16:35] Rachel became an early adopter of online learning tools and video systems long before it was common in child care. [22:21] Her passion is serving the working poor \u2014 families who don\u2019t qualify for help but still struggle to access care. [24:10] Children\u2019s Promise is the only program in Albuquerque open until 2 a.m., meeting a unique community need. [24:45] Monthly family dinners offer a chance for connection, storytelling, and celebration. [25:58] Her team focuses on relational care, celebrating small wins, like a child\u2019s first steps. [27:00] They\u2019ve supported families who are refugees, including children with medical needs and trauma backgrounds. [30:24] Security is high-tech, featuring \u201cJames Bond-style\u201d systems and extensive training for staff. [32:19] Rachel reflects on her shift from being in every detail to trusting her team with day-to-day operations. [36:40] She now focuses more on visionary leadership, delegating while maintaining accountability. [41:04] Her staff go through the same training she\u2019d want for someone caring for her own kids. [43:54] One of her locations features an open-concept floor plan, encouraging transparency and teamwork. [50:39] She speaks on the power of prayer and being intentional about the energy she puts into her work. [52:04] It\u2019s not about growing for growth\u2019s sake but also about community development and showing up with excellence. [53:15] Rachel reminds us: Don\u2019t grow until your heart and leadership are ready.   Quotes: \u201cI\u2019ve always had a passion for the working poor, and I like to say that because it\u2019s not those that are homeless, but they\u2019re working to try and get a hand up, but they just can\u2019t, and they just don\u2019t get the same quality and excellence as others. And so that\u2019s really where a lot of my passion has come from.\u201d \u2014 Rachel [22:45] \u201cWe create kind of a relational community approach to everything. So whether it\u2019s our staff or families or whoever it may be, we\u2019re all about building the community and working with the resources around us.\u201d \u2014 Rachel [21:32] \u201cThe other big thing is just wins, to celebrate each other, right? Even if little Johnny just took their first step, let\u2019s celebrate that, because it\u2019s a big deal to those families.\u201d \u2014 Rachel [25:58] \u201cI\u2019ve always told people, I\u2019m not going to put them in our program if I wouldn\u2019t leave them with my own kids.\u201d \u2014 Rachel [41:04] \u201cWe\u2019re about the community and how we develop, not about just necessarily growing the business. We\u2019re about community and helping people develop and grow, and that\u2019s our focus.\u201d \u2014 Rachel [52:04] \u201cWe want to do everything with excellence, and the only way to do that is to put my heart in.\u201d \u2014 Rachel [53:15]   Sponsored By: ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI) Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray @iamkrismurray The Child Care Success Company The Child Care Success Academy The Child Care Success Summit Grow Your Center Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal Children\u2019s Promise Centers ","author_name":"Child Care Rockstar Radio","author_url":"https:\/\/childcaresuccess.com\/podcast\/","html":"