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Washington Evening Journal
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Bear Creek Kids Campus in Brooklyn is off to a great start
BROOKLYN — After nearly two years of planning, preparing and construction, the new Bear Creek Kids Campus opened its doors May 6 and is off to a great start.
Located at 1092 Jackson St. just north of the high school and south of the Ruritan’s building on the east side of the circle drive entering the BGM baseball and softball complex, the new day care center fills a much needed void in the Brooklyn area.
According to Cathy Essick, marketing director with the Brooklyn Community Estates, Rose Haven Nursing Home in Marengo and Bear Creek Kids Campus, at the time plans for the new day care center were announced, only about 50% of community day care needs were being met in Brooklyn.
“As we got into it and researched, we realized that there was a great need for child care in the Brooklyn Community,” said Essick in an earlier interview.
The new day care came about thanks to Shane Sissel and his wife, Susan, co-owners of the Brooklyn Community Estates and Rose Haven Nursing Home in Marengo, seeing a need and working to provide a service for their employees and the community.
The center is being operated through the Brooklyn Community Estates. Lisa Bauman is the day care director.
The day care has 18 employees, including summer help.
Everything is going great, Bauman said.
“It is so wonderful to see the classrooms filled with children and their teachers,” Bauman said. “We have had a Get to Know Me and Garden week theme so far, with Bug Week coming up next week.
“They were busy looking at seeds, planting flowers, measuring how tall they are and turning it into a flower,” said Bauman.
“I've seen dancing, singing, playing outside. All sorts of fun activities. It is just amazing to see Bear Creek Kids Campus open. I look forward to coming every day, and we are so blessed with our staff, children, and parents,” Bauman said.
Day care features
The new 60-foot by 120-foot day care center features five classrooms, offices, a service kitchen, employee break room and a large fenced in playground.
The day care center is designed to serve children from six weeks old to 12 years old and is licensed for 86 children.
Since opening its doors, the day care center is full in the 2-year-old classroom and 3 -5-year classroom. The summer camp for school-age children is also full.
A before- and after-school program remains in place. The after-school portion has been in operation the entire school year at BGM Elementary.
A before-school option is now available as well, with both on site at the day care center.
The new day care was possible thanks to a State of Iowa Future Ready Childcare Grant in the amount of $426,225.
The 50-50 matching grant was awarded Sept. 13, 2022.
The State of Iowa Future Ready Childcare Grant is directed toward employees of Iowa businesses for child care needs to expand the number of slots in the state.
A business applying for the grant is required to have 70 full-time employees or staff.
With Brooklyn Community Estates being home to around 38 full-time employees, Essick said in an earlier interview that a non-monetary consortium was formed with BGM Community Schools, Manatts and the New Brooklyn Development organization to apply for the grant.
The remaining funds to construct the child care center were privately given through revolving loans from the Brooklyn Mutual Telephone and Central Iowa Power Corporative.
The Sissels broke ground on the new day care center Aug. 23, 2023. The land where the building is constructed was purchased from BGM Community Schools.
The new day care center is open to all families in Brooklyn and the surrounding areas.
“We accept state child care assistance,” said Essick.
Day care hours of operation are 5:30 a.m. -6 p.m.
A Bear Creek Kids Campus Facebook page has been created.
For more information, contact Bauman at leah.bauman@bcecares.com or at 641-715-7286.
