Mother's Day Out and Part-Time Childcare in Central Arkansas: The 2026–27 Parent's Guide

If you've ever tried to fit a dentist appointment, a work call, or (dare we dream) a quiet grocery run around a toddler's nap schedule, you already understand the appeal of a Mother's Day Out program.

Mother's Day Out, usually shortened to MDO, is part-time care for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Most programs meet two or three days a week during school hours and follow a school-year calendar. They're a favorite with stay-at-home parents, part-time workers, and families who want a gentle first taste of the classroom before preschool.

The tricky part is finding them. Many of the best programs live on a single church web page, or only on a flyer in a hallway. So we gathered every program we could verify across Central Arkansas, from Little Rock and North Little Rock out to Sherwood, Benton, Conway, and Beebe, plus a few similar options for families who need something more flexible.

Mother's Day Out, Parents' Day Out, or Weekday Preschool?

You'll see a few different names out there, and they overlap quite a bit.

• Mother's Day Out (MDO) is the most common term in Arkansas. Despite the name, any parent or caregiver can enroll a child.
• Parents' Day Out (PDO) and Mom's Morning Out are the same idea under a different name. Some programs use "Parents' Day Out" to be more inclusive.
• Weekday preschool is usually a bit more structured and focused on kindergarten readiness. Many weekday preschools offer two- or three-day schedules, so they can work a lot like MDO.
• Parents' Night Out is an occasional evening event, not a weekly program. Think of it as a babysitting night with crafts and pizza.

Central Arkansas Mother's Day Out Programs at a Glance

Programs are listed alphabetically within each area. "Call" means the program doesn't publish that detail online.

Mother's Day Out Programs in Little Rock

Calvary Baptist Church

• Days and hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
• Ages: Call for current classrooms
• Cost: Call the director for tuition
• Good to know: Open to the whole community and running for more than two decades. The church says many teachers hold degrees in early childhood or elementary education, and staff complete first aid, CPR, and background checks.
• Where: 5700 Cantrell Road, Little Rock (Heights area)
• Contact: Linda Draper, 501-663-2636
• Website: Calvary Baptist Mother's Day Out

Christ the King Catholic Church

• Days and hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., during the school year
• Ages: 18 months by September 1 through age 3
• Cost: Registration fee plus monthly tuition; contact the nursery office for current rates
• Good to know: Running since 1989, with a focus on pre-academic skills through independent and guided play centers. The program is currently taking tours and waitlist names for 2026–27.
• Where: 4000 N. Rodney Parham Road, Little Rock
• Contact: Katherine Mentzer, Nursery Director, 501-225-0711
• Website: Christ the King Mother's Day Out

Geyer Springs First Baptist Church

• Days and hours: Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., September through mid-May
• Ages: 4 months to 3 years (as of August 1)
• Cost: $35 per week, with $3 off per session for each additional sibling, plus a $50 enrollment fee per child
• Good to know: A one-day option, which is rare. Enrollment happens by voicemail: when registration opens in late spring (church members first, then the public the next day), you call starting at 7 a.m. and leave your child's name and birthdate, and the office calls back to confirm.
• Where: 12400 Interstate 30, Little Rock
• Contact: 501-455-5911
• Website: Geyer Springs Weekday Preschool Center

Mother's Day Out Programs in North Little Rock and Maumelle

Central Baptist Church

• Days and hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Ages: 6 weeks through pre-K
• Cost: Contact the director
• Good to know: 2026–27 applications are first come, first served, with a waitlist once classes fill.
• Where: 5200 Fairway Avenue, North Little Rock
• Contact: Rebekah Byrd, 501-771-1125
• Website: Central Baptist MDO

Lakewood United Methodist Church

• Days and hours: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Ages: Nursery (at least 6 months by August 1) through Pre-K 4
• Cost: $28 per day, a $150 enrollment fee, and a $30 building fee each semester
• Good to know: Fully licensed. Your child keeps the same days all year, and there's no drop-in or extended care. The program closes whenever the North Little Rock School District is out for holidays and breaks.
• Where: 1922 Topf Road, North Little Rock
• Contact: Sarah Ables, Executive Director of Weekday Ministries, text 501-831-1473
• Website: Lakewood UMC Mother's Day Out

MGC Kids

• Days and hours: Call for current schedule
• Ages: Call for current classrooms
• Cost: Call for pricing
• Good to know: One of the few non-church MDO programs in the area, run by a kids' gym. The day mixes play-based learning from the Adventures in Learning curriculum with plenty of movement, and families pack lunch.
• Where: Gyms in Maumelle and West Little Rock (ask which location hosts MDO)
• Contact: 501-753-5437
• Website: MGC Kids Kid Care

Mother's Day Out Programs in Sherwood and Jacksonville

Abundant Life Mother's Day Out and Day Camp

• Days and hours: Call for current schedule
• Ages: Call for current classrooms
• Cost: Call for pricing
• Good to know: A state-licensed program at Abundant Life on Highway 107.
• Where: 9008 Highway 107, Sherwood
• Contact: 501-835-2204

First Baptist Church of Sherwood

• Days and hours: Call for current schedule
• Ages: Call for current classrooms
• Cost: Call for pricing
• Good to know: Listed in local childcare directories as a Christian MDO program. We couldn't find current details online.
• Where: 701 Country Club Road, Sherwood

Victory Baptist Church

• Days and hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
• Ages: The church has posted openings in its 2- and 3-year-old classrooms
• Cost: $23 per day, a $10 monthly supply fee, and a $50 registration fee
• Good to know: 2026–27 enrollment forms are available now, so this is a good call if you need a spot mid-year. The day centers on Bible stories, character lessons, and building confidence.
• Where: 10000 Brockington Road, Sherwood
• Contact: 501-835-2400
• Website: Victory Baptist Mother's Day Out

Mother's Day Out at the Park (Second Baptist Church, Jacksonville)

• Days and hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., September through May
• Ages: 6 months through 5 years
• Cost: Call for pricing
• Good to know: A part-time Christian preschool where kids work on letters, numbers, colors, and shapes. Details come from a directory listing, so confirm this year's schedule.
• Where: 1117 N. James Street, Jacksonville
• Website: Mother's Day Out at the Park listing

Mother's Day Out Programs in Benton and Saline County

First Baptist Church of Benton

• Days and hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., school year only
• Ages: 6 weeks to preschool
• Cost: $225 per month (2025–26 rate), an $80 registration fee, and a $100 supply fee twice a year
• Good to know: The day includes songs, crafts, letters and sounds, counting, Bible lessons, and lots of gross motor play. The church runs a separate weekday preschool for 3s and 4s (see below), so your child can stay in the same building as they grow. There's an online waitlist.
• Where: 211 S. Market Street, Benton
• Contact: TK Roseberry, Weekday Preschool Director, 501-778-2271
• Website: First Baptist Benton MDO

Mother's Day Out Programs in Conway and Beebe

Sonshine Academy (Conway)

• Days and hours: Call or check the parent portal
• Ages: Call for current classrooms
• Cost: Call for pricing
• Good to know: A movement-based MDO at a kids' activity center that also offers gymnastics, dance, and swim. If your toddler has energy to spare, this one is worth a look.
• Where: 2415 Donaghey Avenue, Conway
• Contact: 501-327-7742
• Website: Sonshine Academy Mother's Day Out

Beebe First United Methodist Church

• Days and hours: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Ages: Nursery, 2/3s, 3s, and pre-K classes
• Cost: Call for pricing
• Good to know: A longer day than most MDOs, which helps if you have a commute.
• Where: 302 N. Main Street, Beebe
• Contact: 501-882-6427
• Website: Beebe FUMC Mother's Day Out

Part-Time Preschool: Similar to MDO, With More Structure

If your child is 2½ or older, or you want a schedule that's a little more school-like, these part-time preschool options are worth comparing.

• First Baptist Church of Benton Weekday Preschool: 3s meet Tuesday through Thursday and 4s meet Monday through Thursday, 8:15 to 11:45 a.m., with optional extended care until 2:15. Tuition is $280 a month for 3s and $300 for 4s. Children must be potty trained.
• Geyer Springs First Baptist Weekday Preschool, Little Rock: A state-licensed program for children 2½ to 4 that follows the Arkansas Framework for Threes and Fours. Options include morning preschool and a "Flexi" schedule for 2½- and 3-year-olds. Children must be potty trained.
• Little Life Academy: A Christian preschool for ages 1 to 5 with part-time and full-time spots at five campuses: Conway, Greenbrier, Bryant, North Little Rock (Crystal Hill Road), and West Little Rock (Chenal Parkway).
• Faith Baptist Academy, Cabot: Directory listings show part-time enrollment, including Tuesday/Thursday and Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedules. Call to confirm current options.
• Trinity Cathedral Early Childhood Education Program, downtown Little Rock: A year-round program for 6 weeks through Pre-K 4, with part-time spots offered based on availability. Specialists teach Bible, art, music, gymnastics, and foreign language.
• Westover Hills Presbyterian Preschool, Little Rock: More than 70 years old, serving 18 months to 4 years during the school year. Call to ask about current schedules.

Parents' Night Out and School-Day-Off Care

Sometimes you don't need a weekly program. You need one evening, or one Friday when school is out.

• Parents' Night Out at Park Hill Baptist Church, North Little Rock: Evening childcare from birth through 5th grade with food, games, and crafts. The spring 2025 event was $12 and filled quickly, so watch the church's calendar. Details are on Macaroni KID North Little Rock.
• Parents' Survival Night at The Little Gym, Little Rock: The Little Gym on South Bowman Road hosts drop-off evenings, with a discount for members. See The Little Gym of Little Rock.
• Parents' Night Out at the Museum of Discovery, Little Rock: For kids 6 to 12, this has run on second Fridays during 2nd Friday Art Night. Check the museum's events calendar for upcoming dates.
• Gymnastics Kids' Day Out, North Little Rock Parks and Recreation: On some school holidays, the North Heights Community Center offers a $5 open gym and a $10 pop-up gymnastics class. See the City of North Little Rock for past dates.

When to Register for Mother's Day Out

Timing matters more than most parents expect. Here's how the year usually goes in Central Arkansas:

• Fall (right now): Most programs are full, but some still have spots. Victory Baptist in Sherwood has posted openings, and many programs keep waitlists. It's always worth a call.
• Winter: A good time to tour, since classrooms are in full swing and you can see a normal day.
• Spring: Registration for the next school year opens. Church members and current families often get first pick, then the public a day or so later. Geyer Springs, for example, opened public enrollment in late April.
• Summer: Most MDO programs are closed, though a few churches offer short summer sessions.

How to Choose the Right Program

As a parent (and someone who thinks about early learning all day), here's what we'd look at first.

1. Ask about licensing. Some MDO programs in Arkansas are fully licensed, and some run as church ministries without a state license. Both can be wonderful, but you should know which you're choosing. You can look up licensed programs, along with Better Beginnings quality ratings, on the state's free Childcare Arkansas search tool.
2. Ask about teachers and ratios. How many children are in each room, and how long have the teachers been there? Low turnover is one of the best signs of a happy program.
3. Check the calendar. Many programs follow a local school district's calendar. If you have older kids, make sure the breaks line up.
4. Ask about potty training. Older classrooms often require it.
5. Visit on a regular day. Listen to the room. Busy and happy is the goal.
6. Think about the days. A Tuesday/Thursday program gives your week a steady rhythm. A Monday/Wednesday program may line up better with your own work schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Mother's Day Out program?

A Mother's Day Out program is part-time care for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, typically one to three days a week for about five hours a day. Most in Central Arkansas are run by churches and follow the school year. Any parent or caregiver can enroll.

How much does Mother's Day Out cost in Central Arkansas?

Among programs that publish their rates, care works out to roughly $23 to $35 a day, plus a registration or enrollment fee of $50 to $150. Some programs also charge supply or building fees. Always confirm current rates with the program.

Are there Mother's Day Out programs that aren't at a church?

Yes, a few. MGC Kids in Maumelle and West Little Rock and Sonshine Academy in Conway both run MDO programs at kids' activity centers. Part-time preschools like Little Life Academy are another option.

Can I find a Mother's Day Out spot in the middle of the school year?

Sometimes. Families move and schedules change, so spots do open up. Call the programs near you, ask to join the waitlist, and ask when registration for next year opens.

Is Mother's Day Out the same as preschool?

Not quite. MDO is usually more flexible and play-based, with fewer days per week. Preschool tends to be more structured and focused on kindergarten readiness. Many Central Arkansas churches offer both, so your child can move from one to the other.

Know of a Program We Missed?

Central Arkansas is full of small programs that never make it onto a website. If your family loves an MDO, Parents' Day Out, or part-time preschool in Little Rock, Conway, Cabot, Bryant, Maumelle, Searcy, or anywhere in between, let us know and we'll add it to this guide.

Program details were gathered in October 2026 from program websites and local directories. Schedules, ages, and costs can change, so please confirm directly with each program before enrolling.