SHELBURNE — The newly opened Hilltown Children’s Center has a mission: building a foundation of self-confidence, individualism and fun for children, while expanding the child care options available in Franklin County.

The center, located at 679 Mohawk Trail, was created by Darlene Barbeau, owner of Happy Roots Learning Center in South Deerfield, and her daughter Julie Moran, as a way to address the need for day care options in western Franklin County. Barbeau said she had students at the South Deerfield location who were from Shelburne, and had received plenty of calls over the years from residents of Shelburne, Charlemont and other hilltowns seeking child care.

“As soon as we opened, we had kids,” Barbeau said. “The South Deerfield location is full all the time and has a waitlist and gets calls every day. There’s such a need for child care.”

The center welcomes students as young as 6 weeks old and up to 5 years old, and is licensed to supervise up to nine children in the infant/toddler room and nine kids in the toddler/preschool room. By opening day in mid-January, the school was already full and had a waiting list, but there are a few open spots in the infant/toddler room now.

The Hilltown Children’s Center is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students have a set schedule each day that includes plenty of outdoor time on the playground, weather permitting, as well as a curriculum developed to prepare students for a lifetime of learning.

Barbeau said the center’s team — consisting of herself, co-owner and preschool teacher Moran, the center’s Director Janet Cross and two assistant teachers — have a lot of experience in child care. With an experienced crew, she is able to split her time between the Shelburne and South Deerfield locations.

Barbeau has been working in child care her “whole entire life.” She said she began working at day cares when she was 15 years old, and received an associate degree in early childhood education from Greenfield Community College, as well as a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Norwich University. She previously worked as director of child care at Eaglebrook School in Deerfield before opening the Happy Roots Learning Center in 2014.

“When I was in high school, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I graduated at 17, went to GCC for early childhood and that was the story of my life,” Barbeau said. “I think if that’s your passion, that’s what you should do. I have five children of my own, two adopted, three biological. I’ve done foster care. My whole life’s been kids.”

Moran has been working in day cares for more than 25 years, but she also spent time with Barbeau in day cares while growing up. Cross has also been working in child care for more than 30 years.

In addition to bringing a lot of child care experience to the table, Barbeau said the Hilltown Children’s Center aims to be an inviting place. Moran, who is also an artist, painted murals of forest animals and children playing.

“One thing that makes both my centers unique is that they’re cozy,” Barbeau said. “They’re colorful and family friendly.”

For more information about the Hilltown Children’s Center, contact hilltownchildrenscenter@gmail.com.

Reach Madison Schofield at 413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com.