Business Innovation in Child Care Spotlight: Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center

Groundwork Ohio, in partnership with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, has released a new resource, Business Innovation in Child Care: Case Studies Across Ohio, highlighting how businesses across the state are advancing child care solutions for their employees and communities. In the weeks ahead, we'll be spotlighting these efforts—sharing examples of initiatives taking place across Ohio.

The Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center supports 13 public school districts and 33 affiliated districts in southeastern Ohio by providing services and programs that often are unaffordable for small districts. It expanded into operating three child care programs when teachers complained they couldn’t afford to take or stay in jobs because of the cost of child care.

Today, MVESC operates Panther Cub Academy for the New Lexington School District, where employees of the district, Perry County Children’s Services, and Perry County Job and Family Services receive discounted tuition rates. The center serves up to 42 children. It also operates the Rising Stars Academy serving up to 30 children. Families working for Maysville Local Schools, Foxfire Schools, and employees of Muskingum County agencies receive discounted tuition.

In Fall 2025, MVESC opened Little Farmers Academy in Zanesville, which ultimately expects to serve up to 160 children between the ages of 6 weeks to 12. Employees of Muskingum County agencies and Swingle Countertops receive discounted tuition at the center.

The educational service center received $877,368 in Early Care and Business Partnership funding, an initiative that is designed to encourage businesses to see the value of subsidizing child care. Families that are eligible for funding under the grant pay about a third of their child care costs, with the remaining 66% split between their employer and the grant funding. Families understand that the state subsidy will end in December 2026 and that their rates will go up. The goal is to find funding to continue the effort. The educational service center’s child care programs are designed not to operate at a loss, though MVESC has helped with start-up costs. It also holds a mortgage on the $1.4 million Little Farmers building. The Muskingum County Commissioners contributed $200,000 toward the creation of Little Farmers Academy.