Little Tigers Childcare takes reservations

MARENGO — The day care facility that community organizations have worked for is finally opening.

Little Tigers Childcare at Iowa Valley Elementary School in Marengo is accepting applications now for placement this fall.

“We’re really excited to provide this resource for the community,” Elementary School Principal Liesl Yunek said.

The community has had a lot of discussion about the need for day care in Marengo, said Yunek. The school district, Compass Memorial Healthcare and Marengo Community Development were among the agencies looking for a solution to the town’s child care shortage.

At one time the school district considered building a facility on school property and finding another agency to operate it.

Last fall, the district decided it could open and operate a facility itself in the elementary school, at least for children three or older. There was an urgency to it, said Yunek.

The school board and superintendent jumped on board and began working out the details.

“Six months to three [years] is still a need for our community,” said Yunek, and talks continue about how to meet that need.

But children from the age of three through sixth grade will be accepted at Little Tigers Childcare this fall. Spots are guaranteed until July 1, said Yunek. After that, children will be admitted as space is available.

Taylor Snook is the director of the child care facility. She has several years experience as a preschool teacher, said Yunek.

“Taylor and I have been working very closely,” said Yunek, working out classroom location, hours and cost. The district believes it can provide “a quality experience for the kids,” Yunek said.

Two classrooms have been set aside at Iowa Valley Elementary School for two day care rooms. The day care will have use of the cafeteria, the gymnasium and the playground, which will be upgraded this summer, Yunek said.

Yunek expects the day care to have two or three staff members in addition to the director, depending on enrollment. “We will be a state licensed day care,” said Yunek.

To make room for the day care, two kindergarten classes will be relocated to a space formerly used by Grant Wood Area Education Agency and a computer lab.

The former kindergarten classrooms, which will be used for day care, are located directly across from the preschool rooms, so preschool students enrolled in day care will only have to walk across the hall to get to and from class.

“Two [classrooms] is the most that I can offer to the program,” said Yunek.

“We do have the school resources, the food the playground. They don’t have to go off campus for this,” said Yunek.

“This is probably the best place, long term, for this to be,” said Yunek. “The plan will be that next summer we will allow summer day care.”

The day care rooms will be much the same as they are now when the facility opens in the fall, said Yunek. They’ll be brightened up, and classroom furniture will be replaced by toys that create a play environment, but other improvements aren’t planned in the first year.

The school district is looking at grant opportunities and will look for donations from the community as needs arise.

Residents can find links with information about Little Tigers Childcare on the Iowa Valley Elemenary Facebook page and on the district website, iowa-valley.k12.ia.us.

All-day child care for 3- and 4-year-olds, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. will cost $150 per week, according to a flier from the school district.

Before school care for kindergarten through sixth grade, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. until the start of the school day is $35 a week, and after school care until 6 p.m. is $65 a week.

Payment is due the first of every month.

Snacks are included in the program cost. School lunches and breakfasts will be charged to the students’ meal accounts.

“We encourage independence and self confidence by promoting tasks like dressing and using the restroom independently,” according to the flier. “We also emphasize positive communication and problem solving following PBIS [Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports] guidelines.”

Healthy meals and snacks ware provided daily, and parents will receive a monthly newsletter detailing activities and learning experiences.

The school district hopes the day care will increase enrollment at Iowa Valley schools.

If children make friends in day care, they may not want to leave to attend another school district, Superintendent Curt Rheingans said during child care discussions.

For more information, call the elementary school office at 319-642-5422.