The opening of Gyohsa:’ Early Childhood is more than a milestone—it is something deeply personal to me and to those of us who poured our hearts into bringing it to life. What started as a dream is now our new reality. - Niki Logan Child Care Development Fund Program Director 

The Gyohsa:' Early Childhood center is officially open! Establishing the center was led by Program Director Niki Logan, who oversees the Child Care Development Fund and guided the project from the start. Reflecting on the opening, Niki says that “Every bit of hard work, every challenge, every late night became worth it the moment the children walked through the doors. Seeing their smiles, hearing their laughter, and feeling their excitement fill the building is something I will never forget. There is no better confirmation that we accomplished something wonderful for our children than watching their happiness and excitement at their new school.” 

Niki, who holds her Oklahoma Director's Credential and Oklahoma Child Care Master Teacher credential and will be part of the teaching staff. She is joined by Ashley Denny, who is the Center Manger and will run day to day operations, and Klarrissa Harris, CCDF Assistant. Ashley will graduate in May with her Associates in Early Childhood and will be continuing her education in the fall to receive her bachelors in Early Childhood at Missouri Southern University.  Klarissa is a credentialed teacher in Oklahoma and will be helping in the classroom. She “has been a huge asset in the process of construction to the set-up of the Early Childhood. She truly cares about our children and the success of our Nation's Early Childhood” according to Niki.  

Ashley says that in the first few days of operation she "already sees the staff establishing great relationships with the kids. Everyone is excited to come each day and see each other." That's central to her goal: making Gyohsa:' Early Childhood "a safe place where children of the Nation and community can come have a fun safe place to be themselves and know they will be taken care of." 

In the coming years, countless students will walk through the doors of the new center. Niki says that “Gyohsa:’ was built for them—for their joy, their growth, their safety, and their future. It was built to give our families a place they can trust, and our children a place where they feel loved, supported, and excited to learn every single day.” 

The center's school age classroom, one-year-old classroom, and two-year-old classroom are full, with a waiting list. There are a few openings for the infant classroom, preschool, and pre-K classrooms, but they are filling up fast.   

Programming runs all day for children from birth through Pre-K, with after-school and summer programs for kids up to age 12. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are provided. Every classroom uses Teaching Strategies curriculum that focuses on learning and supports the development of the child’s physical, cognitive, and social-emotional well-being. We are also play-based and believe that children learn best through child-directed and teacher-guided experiences.  

Ashley is well-suited for the role of Center Manager. Her family ran a childhood development center in Grove, so she's worked in the field her entire life, holding positions including director. She holds state director certification, which requires demonstrated experience managing a center like Gyohsa:' Early Childhood. "I love seeing children grow," she says. "The close relationship with kids and families makes it worthwhile." When she's not at the center, she's outside with her husband and three kids, playing sports, fishing, or riding ATVs. 

According to Niki, “this is only ‘the beginning’ of an amazing journey we have begun for our children-our future.”  

If you would like to be part of this journey, contact Ashley Denny at adenny@sctribe.com or (918) 791-3487 for current availability. Rates are affordable; tribal subsidies are accepted, and state subsidies are coming soon.