Josie Villareal, owner of All Stars Learning Center on East Abram Street, has been serving children and their families for 25 years. She got her start in childhood education as a substitute teacher in south Texas and moved to Arlington with the plan of continuing her schooling to become a teacher.

Affordable daycare was a barrier for Villareal. She explained that one of the daycare centers she visited was looking for a teacher, and if she worked there she would only have to pay half tuition for her child.

“In order for me to keep my baby close to me, I started working in that childcare center, and that’s how I got to know the ins and outs of the business, how to run it, what to do and about licensing and other programs,” said Villareal.

In 1999 (after working in childcare for a year), Villareal saw her current building for sale and decided to buy it. She bought the building next door in 2001. 

All Stars Learning Center currently serves 43 children ages three months to nine years and employs 12 staff members. They provide daycare and after-school care.
As a long-time Arlington resident, Villareal recognizes that there’s a need for affordable childcare options in the City.

All Stars has a four-star rating through the Texas Rising Star certification, which reflects high-quality care for daycares participating in the Texas Workforce Commission’s Child Care Management Services (CCMS) program. CCMS offsets the cost of childcare for eligible parents, and requires a certified curriculum, assessments for the children and parent-teacher conferences, among other criteria.

All Stars was one of the first daycares in Arlington to provide Early Head Start, a nationally-funded early education program for low-income children and their families. Participation in these programs ensures a high standard of care, something that Villareal is passionate about.

“Having a safe, affordable learning environment that is fun for the children and their families feel comfortable leaving their child in our hands. I believe that every child who walks in our doors is precious,” she said about her personal philosophy on childcare.

All Stars Learning Center is currently operating at full capacity but is taking applications for their wait list.

Learn more about All Stars Learning Center by calling (817) 261-2002. Or you can visit the One Start Development Center, on the second floor at City Hall from October 28 – November 1, 2024, during Small Business Promotion week. The City’s Planning and Development Service Department is also hosting Customer Appreciation Week during the same time and will be providing refreshments and bottled water for the customers visiting the Small Business Promotion table.

The City of Arlington is highlighting East Arlington small businesses throughout 2024. Canales Furniture, another Small Business of Arlington, who has grown substantially in the last few years, wants to give back to the community and is sponsoring this program with the Planning & Development Services Department for the year 2024. In their new headquarters at 102 E. I-20 Highway, they have dedicated a training room for their growing community, including free English-speaking classes, citizenship classes, and teaching small businesses on how to utilize social media as a marketing tool.