SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A child care center for Madison is getting closer to reality.
Madison needs more child care slots.
Lake Area Improvement Corporation executive director Brooke Rollag says right now the town relies on in-home providers.
“And we know there’s just not enough slots. There’s a lot looking forward to retirement and we just don’t have those new in-homes starting up and staying with it,” Rollag said.
That’s why LAIC has been raising money to build a center.
80 percent of the money for the project has been secured through grants, gifts, and pledges, but $1 million more is needed to break ground.
Madison Regional Health System is pledging a total of $500,000 over the course of 10 years.
CEO Tammy Miller says child care often comes up when the hospital is hiring employees.
“What are the education systems like in this community and is there adequate daycare? We just hired a new physician and that was a question that came up, so yes it is definitely an employment issue,” Miller said.
The center will include seven classrooms and will be able to serve up to 140 kids.
EmBe will operate it.
“Staff, the education, the curriculum, the care for the students, the partnership with families,” EmBe CEO Kerri Tietgen said.
Tietgen says EmBe is excited to be a part of the project.
“It truly is an innovative, community partnership to solve this, and I think that’s what makes it special,” Tietgen said.
To donate or learn more about the project, click here.
