The daycare service was started by Pamela and Ronald Cherry. Pamela grew up in the Rosston-Stephens area and Ronald is from Memphis. The two met in Texarkana where Pamela worked at the Arkansas Department of Human Services' Miller County location for 18 years. Ronald is currently a supervisor at the Texarkana, Texas Sterno plant, which manufactures jellied alcohol products that create outdoor heating but he is also, said Pamela, the backbone of the business, making sure the plumbing is working and taking care that the yard is attended to.
The couple began saving startup funds about three and a half years before opening the business, Pamela Cherry said. She described the process of looking for a suitable house, which took her through both Texarkanas and Ashdown before finding the perfect home in Hope. When she met the owner about possibly buying the property, she said, "It was like cookies and ice cream."
With its staff of four (all certified in CPR), Little Kings & Queens Learning Academy teaches its charges, who range from infancy to age 13, "using Adventures in Learning, a literacy based curriculum" to get the younger ones ready for kindergarten. The business has long hours, opening as early as 6:00 a.m. and closing at 11:00 p.m. to accommodate parents' schedules.
Served at the anniversary celebration/ribbon cutting was celebration cake, chicken salad mini-sandwiches, fruit and vegetable platters and homemade cookies.
