Child care gets a boost from Heron Lake-Okabena Community Foundation
Heron Lake Day Care Center opened in 1975 in the small town of Heron Lake in Jackson County. Kaye Fury started caring for kids at the center in 1980 and is currently the sole staff member. Earlier this year, Heron Lake-Okabena Community Foundation (HLOCF) awarded a grant to the center to pay for in-service training to comply with licensing requirements as well as supplies and activities for school age kids.
The Ripple Effect of Quality, Affordable Child Care
Personal experience informs Ari Zaske’s commitment to finding quality child care solutions for everyone. When she and her husband, Mark, were expecting their second baby, their child care closed suddenly in 2022. The closure was “so emotional,” with families scrambling to find an alternative. Today, Ari’s family has found child care that’s a great fit for them. She’s also part of the Hutchinson Child Care Coalition, working to provide families options for quality, affordable child care in the community.
Southwest Minnesota Child Care Listening Sessions Summary Report
SWIF hosted a series of five listening sessions across southwest Minnesota to gather regional feedback on the draft standards. More than 150 child care providers, directors, economic development professionals, employers, parents and community leaders attended these sessions to voice their concerns and recommendations. Cheryl Glaeser of Achieve TFC, LLC. facilitated the sessions and developed a summary report in partnership with SWIF to highlight the key challenges noted in the listening sessions and a summary of recommended changes to the standards.
