Child Care
Lack of accessible child care services in Sheridan County has been identified as an economic development impediment. Approximately 24% of adults are unable to either enter the job market or hold a full-time job because they cannot find childcare services that meet the schedules required by a prospective employer1. In the summer of 2006, Forward Sheridan, the City of Sheridan, Whitney Benefits, Inc., and Sheridan College worked together to recruit a company to Sheridan. Mayor David Kinskey saw the cooperation of these four groups, and saw the potential for these organizations to work together on a new project--a childcare center for Sheridan. Forward Sheridan took the role of project manager, raising $32,000 in the business community to create a business plan for the childcare center, soliciting letters of support from community leaders, and completing a $1.5 million grant application on behalf of the City of Sheridan. Whitney Benefits, Inc. donated a total of 49,600 square feet of land for the project. In July 2007 the State Land Investment Board awarded a $1.5 million grant through the Wyoming Business Council to the City of Sheridan for the purpose of creating a community child care center in Sheridan. A Phase II grant ($1.5 million) will be applied for in 2008. The grant and construction of the facility will be supervised by the 7-member Sheridan Educational and Economic Development Authority Joint Powers Board whose members include the City of Sheridan, Sheridan College, and Sheridan County School District #2.
Once the facility is built, The Sheridan Quality Child Care Initiative, Inc. will supervise operation of the facility. The early childhood development facility will provide childcare services and early childhood development curriculum to help address the child care shortage in Sheridan County. The facility will operate 24 hours a day, year-round, providing childcare for 178 children. The facility will also be a teaching facility to provide additional training for existing child care providers, as well as provide well-trained staff for existing facilities to help address the workforce shortage in this industry.
It is anticipated the facility will be operating in February 2009. Forward Sheridan will continue to inform the community of the progress with construction photos, newspaper article links, and postings of the archietectural designs for the building.
View from Custer Street on May 21, 2008--after site demolition was completed. The old Girls' Scout building was left intact, to be incorporated into the design of the new childcare center.
View from Custer Street on February 21, 2008--prior to site demolition. The building to the right, the old Girl Scout Building, will remain intact and be incorporated into the design of the new childcare center.
View from Brundage Street on February 21, 2008--prior to site demolition. The building in the forefront, the old Girl Scout Building, will remain intact and be incorporated into the design of the new childcare center.
Articles of Interest
Architect, Lease Contracts Approved for Hand-In-Hand Center, Sheridan Press, February 27, 2008
Hand-In-Hand Sheridan Firm Chosen to Design Early Childhood Education Center, page 1, Sheridan Press, January 23, 2008
Hand-In-Hand Sheridan Firm Chosen to Design Early Childhood Education Center, page 2, Sheridan Press, January 23, 2008
Hand-In-Hand Early Childhood Development Center, Sheridan Press, December 19, 2007
Whitney Donates Land For Childcare Center Near Old CMS Site, page 1, Sheridan Press, December 13, 2007
Whitney Donates Land For Childcare Center Near Old CMS Site, page 2, Sheridan Press, December 13, 2007
Childhood Education Center to be Named, Sheridan Press, December 3, 2007
Board Mulls Old CMS Site For New Training Facility, Sheridan Press, October 24, 2007
Negotiations Begin For Childcare Center Site, Sheridan Press, October 4, 2007
1 from the Equality State Policy Center, February 2008