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There is a tremendous need for high-quality early childhood education across Tennessee, where:

48% of families live in a childcare desert*
Olive Tree is in a childcare desert with no childcare providers within its census tract
Most options in a 10-mile radius of Olive Tree don’t provide infant care, lack one or more high-quality components, or are at capacity.
The number of providers has decreased in the last ten years and less than half are licensed
66% of children under the age of six have all available parents in the workforce
Center-based childcare consumes 45% of a single parent’s income and 13% of married parents’ income”

Restoration House cuts ribbon on 'McKamey Place,' offering affordable early education center and after-school program

The Restoration House cut the ribbon on a new location on Tuesday — The McKamey Place.

They said it is the result of a partnership between The Restoration House and the Olive Tree Early Learning Academy. They said it will be the home of The Restoration House’s youth development program, with therapy spaces used in partnership with Harmony Family Center and the learning academy.

See learners at the Olive Tree Early Learning Academy

Knox County school board member turns to running a day care to help kids facing trauma

Tennessee families are struggling to afford child care

Precious Long beams with pride when she talks about her 4-year-old daughter.

“Oh, she’s so sassy!” Long said. “She’s literally like, spits me back at me sometimes.”

Watch learners enjoy a day at the Olive Tree Early Learning Academy

Olive Tree Early Learning Academy provides care in Knox County's 'child care desert'

Knox County child care costs as much as college tuition. What else can parents do but pay?

Helping shape the brains of young children can be incredibly rewarding. But the worst part of Mandy Watson’s job is telling parents their children cannot attend the Olive Tree Early Learning Center because classrooms are full.