Child Care Training in Williston: Affordable and Available

Alissa Renner Photography

The power of collaboration is on full display in Williston, as the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce’s Western Star Foundation (WSF) and Williston Early Educators Alliance (WEEA) have partnered to provide academic and CPR training for child care workers in the region. The child care training in Williston is free and easily scheduled, creating many positives for the region. 

Not only does this partnership illustrate the city’s focus on family and its priority for high-quality child care, but it also shows its support for everyone else involved, as it eliminates inconveniences for workers and the cost for providers. 

Forging New Paths for Child Care

Regular training is required for early education providers, including day care and child care, so that they can remain compliant and receive license renewals. 

While the required training sessions were always available, Jody Cymbaluk, the founder of WEEA, says they weren’t always easy to obtain, or worse, they required traveling or had inconvenient time constraints. 

“There was already a way to get the training, but I knew there was a better way. This is my livelihood, so it’s personal for me, but people were paying money, taking time off or traveling – it wasn’t feasible,” Cymbaluk says. “Where would we be without quality child care and early education?” 

Cymbaluk brought the idea of creating an alliance that offers engaging, in-person monthly training and the opportunity for first aid and CPR to the chamber of commerce, which immediately showed interest. 

Kenley Nebeker, executive director of TrainND Northwest, is chair of the Western Star Foundation, an organization under the Williston Area Chamber of Commerce, the body that voted the decision into action in the fall of 2023. 

“Partnering with WEEA improves access to training – that is most important to me,” Nebeker says. “There were many online trainings, but they didn’t help participants grow in their field. We needed to provide educational opportunities that met the needs of people involved in Williston’s educational lives that weren’t generic.” 

Ease of Renewals 

Day care and early education providers who are a part of the alliance can more easily complete their annual renewals. 

“I’ve heard previous horror stories that some providers weren’t able to get renewed, but this is no longer an issue,” Nebeker says. “It’s lowering the cost to get renewed, making it easier and more attainable to maintain their license and keep the number of day cares up, which we need in this area.” 

The alliance achieves this by easing the burden for those looking to start a day care facility. 

“The need for child care in our area continues to grow,” Cymbaluk says. “People may be hesitant to open a day care because they don’t know where to start. It can be difficult to navigate and become very discouraging, and people tend to give up when they find out the logistics and licensing because it’s too much. But now, they can come to the alliance and ask for help. One of our goals is to help people get started.” 

Alissa Renner Photography

Community Asset 

Kenzi Brown, owner of Coyote Pups Learning Den, one of the area’s largest day care providers, says the initiative is an excellent asset to the community. 

“Williston has put a great focus on child care centers and increasing the spots available for our workforce,” Brown says. “I usually have between 40 and 45 employees, which is always evolving. Keeping up with 13 hours of training each year can be difficult. The WEEA found a way to provide those classes free of charge, which makes a huge difference.” 

Additionally, she says it’s not just the cost savings that have been beneficial; it’s also the diverse training topics and convenient times and locations. 

“Training is usually provided on Monday evenings, not during operating hours, so it’s super easy for my staff to attend,” Brown says. “Without this partnership, all our training is online, which I don’t love because it’s not as engaging, and my teachers still must do it on their time.”