Today we’d like to introduce you to Ikeysha Hall.
Hi Ikeysha, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Before opening It Takes A Village Daycare & Parent Resource Center, I spent twenty years serving children and families as an educator in public, charter, and private schools. During my time in education, I worked as a Classroom Teacher, a Peer Assistance Review Consultant (PARCT), an Instructional Advisor, and a Manager. Each role taught me something new about how children learn and how much support families truly need.
In August 2025, the position I held as a Digital Field Support Manager was eliminated. What felt like a setback at first ended up becoming the push I needed. For nearly a decade, I had carried a vision of opening a nurturing, community-centered childcare center and losing my job made me finally take that leap of faith.
I had actually begun the journey back in 2021, completing all the required Department of Human Services training to open a daycare in Tennessee. But fear kept me from moving forward. When that door closed in 2025, I made the decision not to let fear stop me again. Just months later, on February 28, 2025, I officially became a licensed childcare provider in the State of Tennessee.
Looking back, I can clearly see how every role, every challenge, and every lesson prepared me for this moment. It Takes A Village Daycare & Parent Resource Center is the fulfillment of a ten-year dream — and the beginning of a purpose-driven new chapter.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth is definitely not the word I would use to describe my journey. One of the biggest challenges I faced was obtaining an Occupancy Permit to operate a daycare out of my home. When I applied, the City of Memphis and Shelby County were in the middle of updating the requirements for Family Home Daycares, which made the process even more complex and unpredictable.
To receive the permit, I had to pass inspections from the State Fire Marshal, the Memphis Fire Department, and multiple city departments including Electrical, Construction, Plumbing, and the Health Department. Anyone who has ever opened a business knows that these inspections are critical — and they can also be overwhelming.
There were many moments when it felt like my dream might never come to fruition. But I leaned deeply into my faith and the support of my village. Their encouragement kept me grounded and gave me the strength to keep moving forward, even when the road seemed impossible.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an educator at heart, and everything I do is rooted in a deep passion for helping children and families thrive. At It Takes A Village Daycare & Parent Resource Center, I provide more than a warm, nurturing, and loving environment for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years old — I also offer wraparound support for the families I serve. I believe that when parents and caregivers have access to the resources, tools, and encouragement they need to build stable, fulfilling, and self-sustaining lives, the children in their homes flourish as well.
One of the things I’m most proud of is our partnership with Next Memphis, a program offered through Porter-Leath that supports childcare providers across the city. This partnership gives me access to an incredible network of professionals, resources, and ongoing support in every aspect of the childcare business. It also allows me to build community with other childcare providers — people I can learn from, collaborate with, and lean on as we navigate this work together.
What truly sets my program apart is our strong focus on Social Emotional Learning (SEL). I believe that when children are taught early how to understand their feelings and use language to express what they’re experiencing, we are laying the foundation for emotional intelligence. Emotionally intelligent children grow into emotionally intelligent adults — individuals who are self-aware, empathetic, able to regulate their emotions, and capable of understanding others. That kind of emotional grounding can change the trajectory of a child’s life.
In addition to being the proud owner of It Takes A Village Daycare & Parent Resource Center, I’m also excited to share that I am now a certified Life Coach. I pursued this certification to strengthen the wraparound services I provide to families. It equips me to support not only the parents I serve directly through the daycare, but also other individuals who are looking for a partner to help them clarify their goals and take the steps necessary to achieve them. My goal — in every role I hold — is to uplift, empower, and help people move toward their fullest potential.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about Memphis is the music, the food, and the culture. Our city is vibrant and full of life, shaped by a diverse community of people with incredible gifts and talents. Whether in business, in our workplaces, or in the neighborhoods we serve, Memphians show up with creativity, resilience, and heart. Together, we each contribute something unique that makes Memphis an even better place to live, work, and visit.
What I like least about our city is the reputation it sometimes receives. I was born and raised here, and I know firsthand that Memphis is rich in history, culture, and unforgettable experiences. Unfortunately, those strengths are too often overshadowed by the focus on what’s wrong. There is so much beauty and potential here and I believe more people would see it if they looked beyond the headlines.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: It Takes A Village Daycare & Parent Resource Center
- Other: itavdpr@gmail.com
