Addressing Childcare Challenges in Watertown: A Collaborative Effort
Lake Area Technical College (LATC) and Jenkins Living Center in Watertown, South Dakota, are stepping up to tackle the escalating childcare challenges in the region. The collaboration is highlighted by a significant grant of ,000 awarded to LATC from Jenkins Living Center, aimed at expanding the Educare Center situated in the former Garfield Elementary School. This center provides crucial daycare services for preschool-aged children as well as before-and-after school care for kindergarteners.
Cam Corey, Vice President of Lake Area Technical College, expressed gratitude towards Jenkins Living Center for its proactive involvement in addressing the childcare crisis. “We are very appreciative of Jenkins Living Center for stepping forward and being a part of this innovative solution to our region’s childcare challenges,” Corey stated. He emphasized that such partnerships exemplify the power of collaboration between private and public entities working together for the betterment of community life.
The grant received will facilitate the expansion of the existing facilities, allowing for the installation of additional fire suppression equipment, which is essential for enhancing safety standards. This expansion is set to increase the center’s capacity from accommodating 55 children to 135, thereby extending its outreach to more families in need of childcare services. The project received supplementary funding from the State of South Dakota, which underscores the government’s commitment to improving childcare access.
Kasey Klapprodt, President and CEO of Jenkins Living Center, remarked on the project’s broader implications, suggesting it could serve as a model for similar initiatives across the region. He highlighted how the partnership with Educare has proven beneficial for Jenkins Living Center employees, enabling them to access reliable and affordable childcare options. “Jenkins Living Center and Lake Area Technical College have a long history together, so it is great to be able to come together to address the true needs of the Watertown Community,” Klapprodt noted.
The importance of affordable childcare cannot be overstated, especially in a time when costs for similar services can soar to unprecedented levels. In some urban areas nationwide, expenses can exceed ,000 annually for families seeking daycare, pushing many parents to take on additional jobs just to meet these financial demands.
For those interested in enrolling their children at LATC’s Educare Center or seeking more information about the program, parents can reach out directly to the college at (605) 882-5284. Established in 1965, LATC holds the distinction of being South Dakota’s first technical college and has garnered recognition as the nation’s leading two-year college. With an enrollment of approximately 2,600 students across 31 high-demand career programs, LATC continues to play a pivotal role in the region’s educational landscape.
As the community confronts ongoing childcare issues, initiatives like the one spearheaded by LATC and Jenkins Living Center exemplify the critical need for collaborative solutions that prioritize the welfare of families and contribute to the overall quality of life in the area.
