THE PEOPLE BEHIND LITTLE MONKEYS
Meet Angie and Mike
For families in Greenville, Little Monkeys is not a building you drop off at; it is Angie’s home, and it has been since 2008. Angie is who your child sees each morning and who greets you at pickup — and Mike is part of daily life here too.
Hi, I’m Angie Despain
I’ve been caring for Greenville children in my own home since 2008. In that time I’ve rocked newborns to sleep, cheered on first steps, and watched shy toddlers turn into confident kids ready for kindergarten. Some children have been with me for years.
I keep doing this because the first few years are the ones that stick. Before a child can learn much of anything, they need to feel safe and genuinely known. That is the whole job as I see it, and it is what I’ve built here, one child at a time.
A home, not a center
There is a real difference between a big center and a home like ours, and you can feel it the moment you walk in. Here, there is more lap time, more one-on-one attention, and a caregiver who actually knows your child: the book they ask for, the song that settles them, the way they like their sandwich cut. I shape the day around each child instead of asking each child to fit a system. Over the years that has meant caring for preemies, for children with special needs, and for every kind of personality in between, meeting each one where they are.
And it is a real home, not a showroom. In the middle of it are our dogs, Rylee and Rosie, our turtle Frankie, Buddy the bearded dragon, and the fish. We eat together, too. Meals and snacks are part of the day, served family-style with the grown-ups sitting down alongside the kids.
Training and credentials
Knowing your child well is the heart of what I do. Doing it safely and skillfully is the rest. Being licensed means my home is inspected and held to state standards for health and safety, which is one more layer of reassurance for you.
- State-licensed home daycare in Michigan
- Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
- CPR and First Aid certified
- Professional development every year
Mike’s role
I couldn’t do this without my husband, Mike. He is a calm, steady presence around our home and another familiar grown-up the children know and trust. Ask the families here and they will talk about Angie and Mike, not just Angie. There is an ease to having two dependable adults who know your child by name, and the kids are genuinely fond of him.
Why families stay
The thing I’m proudest of isn’t a credential. It’s that families stay. Here is what keeps them:
The same familiar faces, every day.
The adults who greet your child on day one are the same ones there every morning after.
You can see how the day went.
Get a clear update on how your child’s day went, so you’re not left wondering until the next morning.
Care that fits your child.
A knack for meeting each child where they are — including, over the years, preemies and children with special needs.
Someone close by you can count on.
Reliable care, rates posted openly, and a provider who actually knows your family.
That steadiness is why children stay for years.
What parents say
I’ll let the families speak for themselves. These are their own words.
The care here is superb, and these kids truly become an extension of their family.
— Becca Jasinski, 2023
They help engage and encourage my son to reach all his milestones. They can adapt to my son’s preemie needs. It is also nice to receive updates or pictures on how my son is doing throughout the day.
— Kyrsha Moore, 2023
I love that I get pictures during the day while I am at work showing me the fun activities they are doing or simply the mess he made at lunch!
— Liz and Kyle, 2023
Our daughter has attended Little Monkeys Childcare since she was 8-months-old. After a bad babysitting experience, I was hesitant to let anyone else take care of our baby. I can happily say, there is no one else I would trust to take better care of her! Now Addie is almost 4-years-old and still looks forward to going to daycare each day because there are always plenty of friends and toys to play with. Miss Angie is wonderful at making sure each child gets the attention they need. It’s evident she loves the kids like her own and I would recommend her childcare to anyone.
— Laura and Sean Canham, 2017
She is outstanding and unbelievable with children, and I would definitely go back to her!! If you go to her daycare, you can be rest assured that your child is in the BEST CARE!!! And the most loving surroundings.
— Kimberley Richmond and John L. Line Jr., 2017
Come see for yourself
The best way to know if we’re the right fit is to visit. Come meet Angie and Mike, see the home and the fenced backyard, and picture your child in it.