The Hobacks are getting ready for the pitter-patter of little feet. About 100 little feet. Neal and Jennifer Hoback are opening Mayberry Early Learning Center, a child-care program, at Celebration Square, Monta's newest retail center.

The facility, which should be complete and ready to open by the end of this month, will offer day care, before- and after-school care, summer day camp and kids' night out.

"We researched the area and knew it was a big need," said Neal. "There are about 600 elementary school kids at Huddleston, Body Camp and Moneta."

Many of these parents, they said, have been driving their children into Roanoke, Lynchburg or Rocky Mount for full-time day care. So the Hobacks decided to offer the services closer to home.

Mayberry Early Learning Center will accept children between 6 weeks and 12 years old. Six rooms have been assigned to different age and grade levels. Each has its own emergency exit.

A large community room will house the before- and after-school programs. The Hobacks will provide transportation to and from Body Camp, Huddleston and Moneta elementary schools. The day care will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with various activities planned throughout the day, including group time, outdoor play, nap time, education activities and meals.

"We'll provide breakfast, lunch, and morning and afternoon snacks," said Jennifer, adding that all meals will be USDA-approved.

And for parents who just need a baby-sitter now and then, the learning center will offer a kids' night out where kids can have fun together while parents are working or out enjoying a romantic evening .

"We'll offer it on Friday and/or Saturday depending on the weather or season," said Jennifer. "We'll provide more in the summer."

Hours for the night out will be 6 to 10:30 p.m. Provided will be dinner, movies, board games, arts and crafts and ice cream from Freckles Ice Cream Parlor just across the parking lot.

"This way, parents can have an actual time out instead of an hour or two," said Neal.

Jennifer said up to 13 teachers will be employed, not including the couple, when the facility is at full capacity. Teachers either have degrees or previous day-care experience, she said.

The Hobacks have three children of their own -- De, 13; Deanna, 10; and Nikki, 5 -- but it's the love of children and the community that inspired them to open the learning center.

"We really love children," said Jennifer. "And we thought we'd give something back to the community that's been given to us."

For more information about Mayberry Early Learning Center, call Jennifer at (540) 797-4625 or e-mail hoback1978@yahoo.com. www.mayberryearlylearningcenter.com