Today we’d like to introduce you to MONICA Jackson.
Hi MONICA, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey into early childhood education began more than 30 years ago with a simple desire to make a difference in the lives of children and families. What started as caring for a small group of children in my home has grown into Jackson Child Care, a state-licensed family child care program in Springfield, Virginia, dedicated to helping children learn, play, and grow together.
From the beginning, I recognized that child care is about much more than supervising children while parents are at work. It is about building relationships, creating a safe and nurturing environment, and laying the foundation for lifelong learning. That philosophy has shaped everything we do. Our mission is simple: Play with a purpose, fostering school readiness through affordable, reliable child care services that support family work schedules.
Over the years, I have had the privilege of serving hundreds of children and their families. Watching former students return as confident young adults—and, in some cases, entrust me with the care of their own children—is one of the greatest honors of my career.
As my experience grew, so did my passion for improving early childhood education beyond my own program. I became involved in local and state leadership, serving on advisory councils, mentoring fellow family child care providers, presenting at conferences, and advocating for policies that strengthen the early childhood workforce. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked alongside providers across Virginia, helping them navigate unprecedented challenges while continuing to serve children and essential workers.
Today, I continue to balance my roles as an educator, small business owner, mentor, and advocate. Whether I am leading an educational activity exploring science through play, serving on a child care advisory council, or speaking with policymakers on Capitol Hill, my purpose remains the same: to ensure that every child has access to high-quality early learning and that every family child care provider is recognized as an essential partner in supporting children, working families, and our economy.
Looking back, I never imagined that opening my home to care for children would lead to opportunities to influence early childhood education at the local, state, and national levels. I am grateful for the journey, and I remain committed to helping children thrive, supporting families, and strengthening the profession I love.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not been a smooth road, but I wouldn’t change the journey.
Like many small business owners, I wear many hats. On any given day, I am an educator, administrator, cook, curriculum planner, mentor, bookkeeper, maintenance manager, communicator, and advocate. Balancing the demands of running a business with caring for my family and supporting others can be overwhelming at times.
Beyond operating my program, my leadership work has been voluntary. Serving on advisory councils, mentoring fellow providers, presenting at conferences, and advocating for improvements in early childhood education have been opportunities to give back to a profession that has given me so much.
Collaboration is essential in this work, but meaningful change is rarely easy. At times, limited support, differing perspectives, and unexpected roadblocks slowed progress. Those experiences taught me patience, perseverance, and the importance of building relationships.
The COVID-19 pandemic was one of the most challenging periods of my career. Like many providers, I faced uncertainty while working to keep children safe and to continue serving families who depended on child care. Rather than stepping back, I supported other providers as we navigated constantly changing guidance, shared resources, and encouraged one another through unprecedented circumstances.
Looking back, every challenge has strengthened my commitment to this profession. The difficult seasons reminded me why high-quality child care matters—not only for children and families, but for our workforce, our economy, and our communities. They also reinforced my belief that leadership is about service. Sometimes that means celebrating successes; other times, it means quietly continuing the work without recognition.
Those experiences have made me more resilient, more compassionate, and even more committed to ensuring that children, families, and family child care providers receive the support they deserve.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Jackson Child Care?
Jackson Child Care is a state-licensed family child care program in Springfield, Virginia, dedicated to providing affordable, reliable, high-quality early childhood education for working families. For more than three decades, our mission has remained the same: Play with a purpose, fostering school readiness through affordable, reliable child care services that support family work schedules.
We believe children learn best through meaningful play, caring relationships, and hands-on experiences. Every activity—from reading stories and exploring nature to cooking, science experiments, art, music, and outdoor discovery—is intentionally designed to build the social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical skills children need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.
One of the things that sets Jackson Child Care apart is our commitment to building lasting partnerships with families. We know that parents are a child’s first teachers, and we work alongside them by sharing daily updates, photos, learning experiences, and resources that connect home and school. Families become part of our extended community, creating relationships built on trust, communication, and shared goals for every child’s success.
Beyond caring for children, I have always believed in serving the profession. I have dedicated countless volunteer hours to mentoring family child care providers, serving on local and state advisory councils, presenting at conferences, and advocating for policies that strengthen early childhood education. My classroom and my advocacy are connected by one purpose: ensuring that every child has access to quality early learning and that every family child care provider is recognized as an essential partner in supporting children, working families, and our economy.
What I am most proud of is not a single award or recognition, although I am deeply grateful for them. It is the trust families have placed in me for more than three decades and the opportunity to watch children grow into confident, capable young people.
One of the greatest compliments I receive isn’t an award—it’s hearing from former families years later. They call to celebrate a college acceptance, share a special achievement or certificate, or seek educational and career guidance. Those conversations remind me that the relationships we build through early childhood last a lifetime.
At Jackson Child Care, when children move on, our service doesn’t end—it evolves into a lifelong connection built on trust, encouragement, and shared success.
If there is one thing I hope readers remember, it is this: Quality child care is more than a service. It is an investment in children, a support for working families, and a cornerstone of strong communities. At Jackson Child Care, we are honored to be part of that journey every day. We believe that when children move on, our service doesn’t end—it evolves into a lifelong connection built on trust, encouragement, and shared success.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Know yourself. Understand what makes you unique, recognize your talents and strengths, and invest in your personal and professional growth. Have a clear vision for where you want to go, but more importantly, know the “why” behind it. Your purpose will sustain you when the journey becomes challenging.
Surround yourself with people who inspire you and have achieved success in your profession. Seek mentors, learn from others’ experiences, ask questions, and never stop growing. Success is rarely achieved alone; it is built through meaningful relationships, collaboration, and a willingness to keep learning.
Most importantly, take ownership of your journey. No one is more responsible for your success than you are. There will always be obstacles and setbacks, but your attitude, perseverance, and commitment to excellence will determine how you respond.
Finally, remember that success is not measured only by awards, titles, or accomplishments. It is measured by the lives you impact, the relationships you build, and the legacy you leave behind. Stay true to your values, lead with integrity, and never lose sight of why you began. If you do, success will follow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mjchildcare.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mjchildcare/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjchildcare –
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-jackson-716a4724/ ##
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JacksonChildCare.
- Other: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Jackson+Child+Care/ –
