Born out of the desire to create a support system for families who need non-traditional childcare options and to be inclusive of children who may have special learning and medical needs, Alysha Clarke and Jennifer Lankford founded the Hive. The Hive is a drop-in childcare center that caters to children from six weeks to ten years old, with specialized care for each age group and sensory-sensitive children.
Children at the Hive are separated into one of three areas: the infant room, the toddler room, and the Play Zone. Each space is screen-free and provides developmentally appropriate activities that children find fun and stimulating. With its shock absorbing, five foot fall-rated flooring, massive playground, obstacle course, and interactive games, the Play Zone provides a safe place for older children to interact with one another, learn new skills, and expend some of their endless energy.
As former pediatric nurses at Cook Children’s Hospital, Alysha and Jennifer bring unique experiences and knowledge to the area of childcare, which they pull from in creating activities for the kids.
“We understand having developmentally appropriate activities is huge when working on fine and gross motor skills, communication skills, and being able to identify emotions and put them into words,” explained Jennifer. “So everything we use at the Hive is a melting pot of Montessori, physical, occupational, and speech therapy elements. We offer lots of sensory activities and play in each one of those areas because children who learn through play retain what they're learning.”
During their time in nursing, the two also found that many of the families they served through the hospital needed more support. Specifically, they needed a place where their children would be cared for in a trusted environment by well-trained caregivers.
“Many of those families can't just call a babysitter from anywhere so they can go to dinner for an hour,” shared Alysha. “So our heart is to help these families and be as inclusive as possible, not just for the parents, but for the kids as well because they miss out on experiences too.”
Unlike traditional day care and Mother’s Day Out models, the Hive offers childcare when parents need it, for the amount of time they need it, and parents only pay for the time they use. This system is perfect for parents who work non-traditional hours, as an emergency back up when a primary caregiver is sick or unavailable, or for those who simply need childcare a few hours a week for a date night or to run errands.
Childcare spots at the Hive are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Members have the added benefit of making reservations online, which gives them priority for securing spots and is especially helpful during high-demand times like school breaks and holidays. Members also enjoy a discounted hourly rate. Special interactive camps are offered during school breaks as well as the option of renting the entire space for birthday parties on Sundays.
Alysha and Jennifer, who are both moms themselves, ultimately focus on providing a space for kids to grow and develop in a positive, uplifting environment. “All it takes to positively impact the life of a child is one adult seeing them and really being there in a moment when they need them,” said Jennifer. “When we do training, we explain that this is an opportunity to be that trusted adult and impact these kids.”
The Hive is located at 1485 Commons Circle, Suite 200 with a second location coming soon. For more information, visit thehive-northlake.net, call 940-441-1155, or email registration@thehive-northlake.net. Also follow The Hive - Northlake on Facebook and Instagram.
“Many of those families can't just call a babysitter from anywhere so they can go to dinner for an hour,”