Episode 199 with Rachel Davis — Follow Your True Calling

This is an inspiring and impactful episode with Rachel Davis, founder of Children’s Promise Centers, an early childhood program in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Operating 20 hours daily, her centers provide critical support for working families often overlooked by traditional child care models.

 

Rachel chats with Kris about her journey from the Denver Rescue Mission to creating a faith-driven, community-focused child care network where high standards, deep relationships, and genuine care intersect.

 

She shares the heart behind her mission to support nontraditional working families through innovative programming and reflects on her leadership evolution, from being hands-on with every detail to stepping into a visionary role. Rachel also discusses navigating hiring challenges, working with refugee families, and building a program where inclusion, safety, and excellence are the foundation.

 

Key Takeaways:

[5:33] Rachel launched Children’s Promise Centers in 2009. Now she operates two locations in Albuquerque and is open 20 hours a day, serving families who need flexible care.
[6:37] Her journey began in Denver at the Rescue Mission, where she discovered a passion for supporting the working poor.
[10:50] Starting Children’s Promise wasn’t easy — Rachel faced funding barriers and self-doubt but found clarity by leaning into faith.
[13:29] One grant rejection helped her clarify her mission — family support, not just academic outcomes.
[16:35] Rachel became an early adopter of online learning tools and video systems long before it was common in child care.
[22:21] Her passion is serving the working poor — families who don’t qualify for help but still struggle to access care.
[24:10] Children’s Promise is the only program in Albuquerque open until 2 a.m., meeting a unique community need.
[24:45] Monthly family dinners offer a chance for connection, storytelling, and celebration.
[25:58] Her team focuses on relational care, celebrating small wins, like a child’s first steps.
[27:00] They’ve supported families who are refugees, including children with medical needs and trauma backgrounds.
[30:24] Security is high-tech, featuring “James Bond-style” systems and extensive training for staff.
[32:19] Rachel reflects on her shift from being in every detail to trusting her team with day-to-day operations.
[36:40] She now focuses more on visionary leadership, delegating while maintaining accountability.
[41:04] Her staff go through the same training she’d want for someone caring for her own kids.

[43:54] One of her locations features an open-concept floor plan, encouraging transparency and teamwork.
[50:39] She speaks on the power of prayer and being intentional about the energy she puts into her work.
[52:04] It’s not about growing for growth’s sake but also about community development and showing up with excellence.
[53:15] Rachel reminds us: Don’t grow until your heart and leadership are ready.

 

Quotes:

• “I’ve always had a passion for the working poor, and I like to say that because it’s not those that are homeless, but they’re working to try and get a hand up, but they just can’t, and they just don’t get the same quality and excellence as others. And so that’s really where a lot of my passion has come from.” — Rachel [22:45]

• “We create kind of a relational community approach to everything. So whether it’s our staff or families or whoever it may be, we’re all about building the community and working with the resources around us.” — Rachel [21:32]

• “The other big thing is just wins, to celebrate each other, right? Even if little Johnny just took their first step, let’s celebrate that, because it’s a big deal to those families.” — Rachel [25:58]

• “I’ve always told people, I’m not going to put them in our program if I wouldn’t leave them with my own kids.” — Rachel [41:04]

• “We’re about the community and how we develop, not about just necessarily growing the business. We’re about community and helping people develop and grow, and that’s our focus.” — Rachel [52:04]

• “We want to do everything with excellence, and the only way to do that is to put my heart in.” — Rachel [53:15]

 

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

@iamkrismurray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Children’s Promise Centers