Kids Inn expanding to north Springfield

Kids Inn Child Care Center LLC is adding a location in north Springfield.

The new childcare location is opening in the O’Reilly Center for Hope at 1518 E. Dale St., the business announced this week.

Owner Christina Ford said a September opening is tentatively targeted for the 2,200-square-foot center. She declined to disclose lease terms.

"By opening a second Springfield location, we are extending our commitment and increasing the overall supply of childcare in the area, ensuring that more families can access care closer to home," she said via email.

Ford opened Kids Inn's 1511 E. Lark St. location in 2022, according to past reporting. A Lenexa, Kansas, location followed last year. 

Ford said the drop-in child care service is important as the state continues to see "a shortage of infant and toddler care."

"At our original site, families were often placed on waiting lists because infant/toddler slots were limited," she said. "Our new location adds two infant/toddler classrooms, increasing available openings and continuing our flexible child-care model with hourly, evening and weekend options."

The new location is planned to serve 36 children, and the south Springfield operation serves 40 children.

"Together the two sites will expand our total capacity and reduce wait times for families seeking infant and toddler care," Ford said.

Ford also operates The Rebound Foundation, a domestic violence advocacy and transitional housing nonprofit she founded with husband Dana, former men's basketball coach at Missouri State University.