PURE Love Daycare will celebrate 25 years on Aug. 9, marking more than two decades of nurturing young children by a providing safe and values-driven environment for families.
The daycare center gew from a seed of idea from both Saturnino “Ador” D. Songcuan and his wife, Milagros M. Songcuan.
They envisioned a center grounded in Christian principles, where children could grow holistically (spiritually, emotionally, socially, and academically), while supporting working parents with dependable, quality care.
Along with their churchmate Vicky Galvez, they set up Pure Love Daycare in Fina Sisu near the Northern Marianas College under the name Green Meadow Daycare, with a shared vision of a daycare center that serves working families in the community.
Pure Love Daycare began with five children under the care of two original staff members: Julietz Baroro and Erlinda Calibo.
Soon after, the owners renamed the center Pure Love Daycare as part of the development of Green Meadow School in Chalan Kiya.
Songcuan said Pure Love offers a comprehensive range of early childhood care services, including infant care, toddler programs, preschool readiness, and school-age aftercare.
What sets Pure Love apart from other similar institutions is its faith-based curriculum integrated with developmental learning, consistent family communication, and a holistic approach that emphasizes character building alongside academic skills.
More importantly, she said, Pure Love’s services complement the curriculum of Green Meadows School. This means a seamless continuity of learning that helps children from the daycare transition smoothly into a formal school environment.
Pure Love Daycare also partners with the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs’ Child Care Development Fund in providing accessible care to eligible families.
Through the years, Pure Love Daycare has shown strength in weathering the challenges that came its way. It did this by its adhering to its commitments, the support of experienced staff members, the strong trust of the community, and faith-centered mission guiding Pure Love’s growth.
The challenges Pure Love has encountered over the years include recovering from natural disasters, adapting to evolving licensing standards, managing growth, and expansion to new campuses. In addition, Pure Love had to navigate the Covid-19 pandemic five years ago.
Each challenge, Songcuan said, has been met with resilience and support from the community.
Today, Pure Love Daycare serves over 150 children across three locations—Gualo Rai, Chalan Kiya, and its newest campus in Chalan Kanoa—with total capacity to serve more than 200 children.
Keeping to its commitment, Pure Love Daycare continues to provide care for children from 8 weeks to 13 years of age, as grouped into:
1.) Infant care: 8 weeks to 12 months.
2.) Toddler care: 1 year old to 3 years old.
3.) Early childhood program: 3 years old to 5 years old (pre-school readiness).
4.) School-age care: 5 years old to 13 years old (after-school programs).
Songcuan said the programs are developed and delivered in alignment with national and local quality standards such as the Quality Rating and Improvement System, Caring for Our Children Guidelines, and the CNMI Early Learning Guidelines.
With these programs, she said, Pure Love Daycare ensures that every child receives developmentally appropriate care, focusing on foundational periods that are critical to their growth. She added that their services ensure that children are well-prepared to enter formal schooling.
New offerings, she said, include enhanced sensory and motor skill activities for infants and toddlers, academic enrichment for preschoolers, homework assistance and character development for school-age children, and frequent family engagement activities.
Their facility in Chalan Kanoa increased Pure Love Daycare’s capacity and improved its learning environments.
Pure Love today is supported by a team of over 50 dedicated and hardworking staff members, including licensed early childhood educators, trained caregivers, administrative personnel, and teacher aides.
Many have served with the daycare for years and continually undergo professional development training, first aid/CPR certification, and compliance training under DCCA’s Child Care Licensing Program to maintain a high standard of care.
Reaching the 25-year milestone, Songcuan said, “is a testament to Pure Love Daycare’s unwavering commitment, faith and dedication. It reflects the trust and support of hundreds of families, the passion of its devoted staff, and the visionary leadership of its founders.
This quarter-century legacy is a source of pride and motivation to continue providing exceptional care and education to CNMI children for many years to come.
File photo shows, standing from left, Pure Love Daycare’s pioneering staff members: Ellen Alejo, Beth Capili, Sony Natividad, Myrna, Bona Angeles, Loida Mallari and Shirley Salilin, joining Principal Marilyn Divino, co-founder Mila Songcuan, and staffers Joy Chapap and Manuel Castro.
