Childcare Provider Spotlight: Crystal Forsberg
The Community Success Panel has identified three focus areas to improve life in Midland County: Housing, People Attraction & Retention, and Childcare.
To shine a spotlight on the progress already happening in Midland County, we’re sharing stories of the compassionate professionals who nurture our youngest learners every day. Childcare providers are the heartbeat of our community. They create safe, caring environments that help children grow, give parents peace of mind, and strengthen families across our region.
Today, we’re excited to introduce you to Crystal Forsberg of Heaven’s Elect Daycare, whose dedication and passion help shape brighter futures for the children and families she serves.
Crystal Forsberg, In Her Own Words:
My name is Crystal Forsberg, and I’ve been working in early childhood education for 17 years. Today, I serve as the program administrator at Heaven’s Elect Daycare here in Midland County. While my title may say “administrator,” the reality is that my role changes by the minute.
Most mornings start before I even leave the house, checking emails and making sure staff schedules are covered. Once I arrive, I’m greeting families, making sure our school-age vans leave on time, and helping children transition smoothly into their day. From there, anything can happen. I might spend part of the morning on paperwork, then turn around to comfort a crying infant, fetch a “boo-boo bag,” approve messages in our parent app, or give a teacher a quick break.
No two days ever look alike and that’s what I love about this work. One minute I’m an administrator, the next I’m a teacher, a behavior specialist, or even a plumber unclogging a toilet. In childcare, you become a jack-of-all-trades: trainer, photographer, maintenance worker, accountant, carpenter, cook, janitor, even emergency responder. It’s unpredictable, challenging, and deeply rewarding.
At the heart of it all is our curriculum. We believe learning begins early, which is why our hands-on preschool program starts in our one-year-old classroom. Each stage builds on the last, with activities in phonics, STEAM, sign language, and creative play. As a Christian facility, our curriculum is also God-centered. We use Bible stories, songs, and prayers to teach children about God’s love alongside their academic and social-emotional growth.
My favorite part of this work will always be the children and families. There’s nothing better than building those relationships and knowing you’ve given a child the best possible start in life. Watching them grow, develop confidence, and discover their world, and knowing you’ve played a small part in that, is a joy that never fades.
But it isn’t without challenges. With 150 children, their families, and 45 staff members, balancing everyone’s needs can be overwhelming, especially with only two administrators running daily operations. Staffing is always the hardest piece. Finding and retaining qualified teachers is an ongoing struggle. The truth is, no one gets into childcare for the money, but wages should reflect the value of the work. Research shows the first three years of life are critical to development, yet we don’t invest in early childhood education the way we should. If state and federal governments put more resources toward childcare, we could better support both children and the professionals who dedicate their lives to caring for them.
The hardest season of my career was during COVID. Staffing shortages, quarantines, and constant changes made it incredibly difficult to keep up. Many people could make more on unemployment than they could working in childcare, and that made it even harder to find help. But we made it through and we’re still here at Heaven’s Elect, still serving families, still doing this important work.
At the end of the day, childcare isn’t just a service, it’s a foundation. It’s how we make sure children start strong, families feel supported, and our community thrives. That’s what keeps me showing up every day
If you’d like to connect with Kristin regarding childcare please call Michigan Child Care Centers Inc. dba Kinder Kare at 989-835-9201.
Do you have a Midland County story you would like to tell that aligns with our vision?