At Wonderschool, we’re inspired every day by the educators who bring passion, creativity, and care into early childhood education. One of those educators is Joy, founder of the Joy of Learning Farm School in Agency, Missouri. Her journey from three decades in public education to creating a thriving home-based program is a powerful example of what’s possible with vision and the right support.
Joy has lived in rural Missouri her entire life, working in both urban and rural districts over a 32-year career. After retiring from public education, she noticed a serious lack of child care in her community. Parents quickly confirmed that need—within just 30 minutes of posting on social media, Joy had 40 families reaching out for enrollment.
That overwhelming demand gave her the confidence to take the next step. In March 2024, she began her licensing journey, launching the Joy of Learning Farm School. From day one, her program has been at capacity, serving 20 children daily with a waiting list that continues to grow.
What sets Joy’s program apart is its farm-based environment. Located on her family’s 43-acre farm, children spend most of their day outdoors—exploring gardens, caring for animals, and learning where their food comes from. With more than an acre of dedicated play space, the farm school provides endless opportunities for curiosity, responsibility, and hands-on learning.
Joy’s curriculum is grounded in project construct, a play-based philosophy that makes every experience meaningful. Whether tending to goats and chickens, discovering a bird’s nest, or gathering flowers, children are encouraged to explore and learn in developmentally appropriate ways.
Community has been at the heart of Joy’s success. Families who knew her from church, school, and the local area were eager to enroll when she opened. She also created a parent advisory board, giving families a voice in shaping the program.
This group has provided valuable feedback—including encouraging Joy to raise tuition to reflect the unique value she provides—and has supported flexible enrollment options to meet diverse family needs.
Joy first connected with Wonderschool at the Missouri Early Learning Conference, where she met our team. From there, she received consulting, financial incentives, and step-by-step guidance through the licensing process.
Her favorite part of the Wonderschool platform? Sharing photos and videos with families. “It really draws them in to the worth of the education,” Joy explained. Parents get to see their children’s experiences in real time, building trust and deepening connections.
While she’s excited about future features like payroll integration and state early learning standards, she credits Wonderschool with helping her launch smoothly and manage growth with confidence.
For Joy, the Joy of Learning Farm School is the perfect blend of her lifelong love for teaching and her family’s farm life. Each day, she helps children learn, grow, and thrive in an environment that is as unique as it is nurturing.
As Joy put it:
“Just taking time to be with children and be present in their learning… I’m getting goosebumps because today was one of those days.”
Her story is a reminder of what’s possible when educators are supported in bringing their vision to life—and why Wonderschool is committed to empowering more providers like Joy across the country.
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