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Deliverance Childcare and Learning Academy celebrated its grand opening Dec. 27.

The academy was formed to help teach children their basics to get ready for school. Children ages 6 weeks to 12 years old can enroll in the program.

Director Tonya Williams, who has been working with children for more than 13 years, said the academy is available before and after school. Hours are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

Williams said the academy is a resource for those parents who go to work early or get off work late.

Williams said she thought about opening up a daycare.

“When I worked for the Community Action Agency of South Alabama’s Head Start program, they lost their contract,” she said. “I was sitting at home for a while, and thought, ‘you know what, we can open up a daycare.’ I thought about opening up a home daycare, but then I thought, ‘why not try to do a daycare at the church?’”

Williams said it took a while to get everything rolling, but her family got on board and decided to form the program.

The childcare and learning academy offers a Christian education, accepts Childcare South, meals are included and fun activities. Teachers are state certified.

The daycare is located at 107 2nd Ave., Atmore, AL 36502. For more information, call 251-229-0710 or 251-229-0839.