On May 28, a red ribbon snapped in half between giant scissors as a large group of supporters cheered in Luverne. Kids Rock! Child Care Center was ready to welcome kids and families with quality, affordable child care, truly something to celebrate.
“For over 10 years elected leaders of Luverne identified the child care shortage as the top obstacle to workforce growth. By creating more child care slots, we remove a key barrier for working parents, support our local employers and make Luverne more attractive to new families considering our community as our home,” Luverne Mayor Pat Baustian told those gathered. “In every sense, this center is an investment in Luverne’s future and economic development infrastructure.”
Project partner First Children’s Finance identified a shortage of about 120 licensed childcare slots for children ages 0 to 5 in Rock County. Kids Rock! Child Care Center is licensed for 186 children when fully staffed.
A project this big takes vision, persistence and cooperation. From city and county leaders to the Kids Rock! nonprofit board, local partners, funders and community champions, this center is the result of a true public-private partnership, Mayor Baustian said.
Southwest Initiative Foundation supported Kids Rock! with board development, staff recruitment, staff development and other assistance.
“We are grateful to be a part of this incredible and transformational effort! This is the largest child care project that we have been involved in during the past 18 years, if not ever in our organization’s history,” said SWIF President Scott Marquardt.
“Southwest Initiative Foundation has made a profound impact not only on our organization but on the entire child care community all across the state,” said City of Luverne Economic Development Director Holly Sammons. “SWIF’s support has gone far beyond financial assistance and professional guidance. You have been a true champion for the mission we believe in and the providers who are the backbone of early childhood development.”
Creating a modern child care center
Originally a corporate office, the Kids Rock! building is now a state-of-the-art child care facility with 30,000 square feet.
It features 11 classrooms, a gym, a commercial kitchen, office and staff support spaces, a conference room, restrooms, nursing rooms, laundry and storage rooms, and outdoor playgrounds.
Windows illuminate the classrooms with natural light. Brightly colored toys, furniture and books make the space inviting.
Most of the furnishings were paid for by community donations following a successful $1 million fundraising campaign. Luverne Area Community Foundation Executive Director Emily Crabtree led the campaign and serves as president of the Kids Rock! Board of Directors.
“The generosity of this community, it’s amazing,” Emily said. “When there is a need, there is an answer. It says that you believe in the need and you see the importance this center has in our community now and in the future. Thank you for every toy, play structure, book, sippy cup and blanket that your gift helped provide.”
She added that the vision for this center comes from a place that is essential to community growth. It is important for child development, for consistent workforce and for building the next generation of families that call Luverne and the surrounding communities home.
“This center is not just a service. It’s an investment in our children, our families, and our entire community,” Emily said.
Thanks to ISG for sharing photos from the ribbon cutting and open house.
Your partner for child care solutions
One of SWIF’s priorities is supporting the growth and retention of child care programs across the region, recognizing that access to quality child care is essential to community vitality and economic mobility. As a dedicated partner in the industry, we support community planning, public policy advocacy, project investment and technical assistance, public relations and appreciation and professional development.
In fiscal year 2025, SWIF invested more than half a million dollars in southwest Minnesota’s child care providers and businesses, supporting start-up expenses, technical assistance, professional development and other critical operational needs. This includes grants from our partner funds.
More than 300 child care professionals attended the 2025 Kids First Conference in southwest Minnesota Feb. 28 and March 1. SWIF is the major sponsor of this annual event. Attendees took advantage of professional development, relationship building, and wellbeing opportunities at the conference.
This summer, SWIF hosted a second round of listening sessions for child care stakeholders to respond to the updated draft of Minnesota’s child care licensing standards, part of the ongoing Child Care Regulation Modernization Projects. These standards set the health, safety, and program requirements that licensed child care centers and family-based providers must meet to operate legally in the state. More than 90 child care providers, directors, economic development professionals, employers, parents, ecosystem partners, and community leaders shared their insights. A summary report of the feedback was submitted to the state agency to help inform the next draft of the standards, with a final proposal expected for the 2026 legislative session.
