Beautiful Oasis Childcare: A Provider Success Story in Maricopa County

As the owner of two Beautiful Oasis Childcare centers, Toshina Thames knows intimately the challenges of running child care businesses. With so many pressing demands, it’s difficult for child care businesses to make facility improvements without increasing costs for families. That’s why Toshina is thrilled about the improvements made possible by the infrastructure grants.

“My passion is to educate children,” said Toshina. “Because of that, we emphasize teacher training and professional development in our centers so that children receive the highest quality education.”

Toshina made several updates to Beautiful Oasis Childcare locations on Southern Avenue and Stapley Drive in Mesa. Both centers are in communities where there is limited access to child care and serve a majority of children whose families are eligible for child care assistance through the Arizona Department of Economic Security. The Beautiful Oasis locations are off bus lines in mixed-use neighborhoods, which also makes them convenient for families to access.

Toshina used most of the funds for the Southern location to redo the playground. Previously, the Southern playground was divided into two areas—one for 0-5 years and another for 6-12 years. This was not ideal for safety or motor skill development. Now there are three separate playground spaces uniquely designed with age-appropriate equipment for 0-2 years, 3-5 years, and 6-12 years. Toshina removed the old rough gravel and installed beautiful shade structures to make the space more comfortable for the children.

The Stapley location received a complete renovation. Every classroom received new sinks, cabinets, and countertops. Toshina replaced the old carpet with tile flooring that makes it easier to clean accidents and spills. The kitchen cabinets were replaced, and the counters updated to antimicrobial surfaces, reducing germs and bacteria. Staff now have an overhauled breakroom and a bathroom that has been brought up to building code. Toshina improved the safety of the outdoor space by replacing the crumbling brick wall and adding new playground items. Toshina hopes these grant improvements will help increase the Stapley location’s Quality First rating and lower her insurance costs, stretching each dollar further.

New sinks, countertops, and cabinets in a classroom at the Stapley Avenue location, funded by a $160,000 infrastructure grant

Toshina upgraded the security systems at both centers with key fobs for parents to enter at one site and a keypad at the other. New iPads ensure both locations have the same equipment, making training processes more seamless for staff and improving the adoption of ProCare child care management software. With this new technology, Beautiful Oasis will shift to paperless invoicing and electronic reporting, freeing up more staff time for the care and education of the kids.

"We have made incredible improvements to the overall look and feel of both our centers," Toshina shared. "I would never have been able to do all of this without this funding."

Arizona Child Care Infrastructure Grant: Maricopa County Highlights

The Arizona Child Care Infrastructure Grant program was funded by the Arizona Department of Economic Security (ADES) and First Things First (FTF) through Child Care Stabilization Grants appropriated in the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021.