Early Childhood Career Pathway Program

Community Partnership Drives Investment in Early Childhood Programs

by Angel Belford | Apr 1, 2026 | News and Information

PEACE, Inc. proudly participated in the kickoff of Micron Technology’s Syracuse-area Community Week, marking an exciting moment for investment and partnership in our region. During the event, Micron announced $35 million in local investments, including a $200,000 award to support PEACE, Inc.’s Early Childhood Career Pathways Program (ECCPP).

Through a strong partnership with Child Care Solutions, ECCPP continues to make a meaningful impact in Onondaga County. The program helps expand access to quality child care by training early childhood professionals and supporting individuals who are working to open licensed home family daycares. These efforts not only create new child care slots but also strengthen the local workforce.

This investment reflects a shared commitment to building a stronger, more supportive community. By increasing access to child care and creating career pathways, ECCPP helps individuals move toward self-sufficiency while meeting a critical need for families across the region.

For more about Micron’s investments, visit:
https://buff.ly/DLflbJe

For more about Micron’s Syracuse-area Community Week, visit:
https://buff.ly/dG7qnv4

From Vision to Impact: Turning a Passion for Children into a Community Resource

by Angel Belford | Mar 5, 2026 | News and Information

PEACE, Inc.’s Early Childhood Career Pathway Program (ECCPP) is proud to celebrate the dedication, vision, and growth of local childcare providers who are making a meaningful impact in their communities. Two inspiring examples are Amanda Maddison, owner of Magical Mischief Daycare in Clay, and Lakeva Williams, owner of Parent-cation, LLC in North Syracuse.

Amanda opened her New York State–registered family daycare with a clear mission: to create a nurturing, structured environment where children could feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn and grow. Her daycare stands as a reflection of resilience and hard work, providing families in Clay with high-quality home-based childcare that supports children, working parents, and the local economy. Amanda’s journey demonstrates how passion, paired with guidance and resources, can turn a personal goal into a valuable community resource.

Similarly, Lakeva has expanded her program from a Registered Family Daycare to a Group Family Daycare, allowing her to serve more children and strengthen support for families in North Syracuse and Cicero. With a remodeled space designed for both comfort and learning, Lakeva’s program exemplifies her commitment to creating a safe, engaging environment. Parent-cation, LLC is also looking to hire a Teacher Assistant, opening new opportunities for those interested in early childhood education.

Both Amanda and Lakeva’s stories highlight the power of the ECCPP in supporting early childhood professionals, fostering quality childcare, and building stronger communities. Their successes are reminders of the difference that dedication, vision, and support can make—not only for children, but for families and the communities they serve.

To learn more about the Early Childhood Career Pathway Program, visit: www.peace-caa.org/programs/frc/eccpp/

Helping Children Thrive: A Look at Parent-cation LLC

by Angel Belford | Dec 15, 2025 | News and Information

We are proud to highlight Lakeva Williams, owner of Parent‑cation LLC, a family‑based childcare program in North Syracuse that is making a meaningful impact for families in the community. Lakeva first became licensed through the PEACE, Inc. Early Childhood Career Pathways Program (ECCPP) in June 2023 and recently expanded to a Group Family Day Care in October 2025, allowing her to serve more children and hire a Teaching Assistant to further enhance support for families. Parent‑cation LLC is licensed to care for up to 12 children ages 6 weeks to 12 years, offering a nurturing place for early learning and play‑based development.
HS OCFS

Parent‑cation LLC provides children with opportunities for discovery, play, social engagement, and hands‑on learning in a safe, family‑style environment. With flexible hours that support working families, the program incorporates elements like creative play, exploration, and outdoor time to help young learners grow in confidence and curiosity. As a licensed provider, Lakeva’s dedication reflects the goals of the ECCPP — strengthening childcare capacity in the community while empowering early childhood professionals.
Winnie

Lakeva’s commitment to high‑quality care helps ensure that children receive supportive early experiences that build a strong foundation for future learning and success, while also giving families peace of mind knowing their children are in a safe, enriching environment.

Learn more about the Early Childhood Career Pathways Program and how it supports childcare providers in our community at PEACE, Inc. ECCPP

Welcoming Shakira Lopez Rentas to the ECCPP Family

by Angel Belford | Dec 2, 2025 | News and Information

We’re so thankful to have Shakira Lopez Rentas as one of the newest providers in our Early Childhood Career Pathways Program (ECCPP)! Located near the Viola G. Chisholm Eastside Family Resource Center, Shakira recently celebrated a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner with the children in her care, creating special moments of connection and learning.

The ECCPP supports providers like Shakira by offering guidance, training, and resources to help them create safe, nurturing, and educational environments for children. We love seeing our providers bring creativity, care, and joy to their classrooms each day.

To learn more about the Early Childhood Career Pathways Program and how we support new providers, visit PEACE, Inc. ECCPP.

Early Childhood Career Pathway Program is one of the most promising programs in the nation

by Eddy Luce | Aug 19, 2024 | News and Information

PEACE, Inc.’s collaboration with Child Care Solutions of CNY, the Early Childhood Career Pathway Program, continues to be recognized for its innovation. The think tank The Century Foundation recently highlighted ECCPP and its partnership with Micron as one of the promising child care/early education career pathway programs in the nation through the CHIPS Act.

To read the policy paper, visit https://tcf.org/content/commentary/chips-act-child-care-requirements-already-showing-promise/.

To learn more about ECCPP, visit https://peace-caa.org/programs/frc/eccpp/.