Childcare. PC: Fox 11 Online
GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Outagamie County is getting a state grant to help meet the demand for childcare in the area.
A $250,000 Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) will go toward the YMCA turning a vacant nursing home facility in Grand Chute, that is owned by the county, into a childcare facility.
As in other communities across the state, families in Outagamie County face a critical childcare shortage, with more than 1,200 children waiting for open childcare slots and over three-fourths of local providers placing families on waitlists according to a study by Child Care Resource and Referral.
The new childcare facility will be located on the Brewster Village Campus and will accommodate up to 100 children from ages six weeks to six years and feature six classrooms split by age group. It will also include two outdoor playgrounds.
“Right now, finding childcare is hard, especially if you have more than one child,” said Ashley Brockman, association early childhood executive director at the YMCA of the Fox Cities. “A lot of centers might be able to fit in one child, but they can’t fit both your children in. Opening 100 childcare spots will help families who have been struggling.”
Outagamie County will continue to own the building, but the YMCA of the Fox Cities will fund the furniture, fixtures, and equipment and lease the building from the county for $1 per year.
The YMCA of Fox Cities operates four other full-time childcare facilities in the region.
Outagamie County employees will have priority placement at the new childcare facility, and the slots not filled by staff will be open to the public. As employees send their kids to this childcare facility, county officials expect it will open capacity at other childcare facilities across the community.
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