• MAS offers space at W.I.N. Academy for Lakes Area Enrichment Center

By Kris Goracke

Reporter

When it comes to daycare, the demand surpasses the available supply.  According to the Center for Rural Policy and Development, there is an estimated shortage of more than 40,000 childcare spots in rural Minnesota.  

Pope County faces a similar challenge despite having numerous family daycares.  The Lakes Area Enrichment Center (LAEC) has been instrumental in addressing this need by providing daycare for 75 children.  However, due to the sale of their current location, they have been exploring new options over the past two years.  Fortunately, an opportunity arose through the Minnewaska Area School District.

“We are excited about the partnership with the school and what this can mean for our families.

“Initially, we explored space at the elementary school, but it didn’t meet our needs.  Subsequently, we toured the lower level of the W.I.N. Academy in Starbuck, which offers ample indoor and outdoor space for children,” said Kylie Baldwin, Executive Director of Lakes Area Enrichment Center.

During the tour, M.A.S. Superintendent Chip Rankin identified areas the daycare could utilize, each equipped with bathrooms and sinks.  The space also includes a playground and extensive green space for the children.  “Although renovations are needed to tailor the space for the daycare, the structural integrity of the rooms is excellent,” Rankin said.

Currently, Head Start is renting rooms in the lower level of W.I.N. Academy from the school district.  Still, it utilizes only a fraction of the available 14,000 square feet.  “Having Lakes Area Enrichment Center and Head Start in the same location benefits both parties:  the school maximizes its unused space, and the daycare addresses the pressing need in the county,” said Rankin.

As the landlord, M.A.S. District is responsible for financing the renovations required to meet the daycare’s needs.  “The renovation costs will not burden taxpayers; our intent is for these costs to be reimbursed through the rent,” clarified Rankin.

Addressing parental safety concerns, Rankin assured, “We have installed locked double doors with electronic monitoring to separate the daycare area from the W.I.N. Academy area.”

On Friday, Dec. 1, Baldwin, Rankin, Jim Haugen, Head Start Director, Jody Loher, Head Start Supervisor, and other stakeholders met to assess renovations for W.I.N. Academy’s lower level.  They identified remodeling needs for LAEC spaces to comply with Minnesota Childcare Licensing requirements.

Following the meeting, Haugen and Loher proposed a collaboration between LAEC and Head Start to address the needs of both programs during renovations.  After discussions with Head Start and LAEC’s Board of Directors, it was decided to utilize Head Start’s space until renovations are complete. 

“The combination of classrooms will only be temporary while the other spaces are being renovated to fit our needs and requirements.  And we want to reassure every family that every child currently enrolled will have childcare within this move,” Baldwin stated.

When complete, the new space is projected to accommodate additional daycare placements, with plans to expand capacity from 75 to over 100 spots for children.  “We’re thrilled to collaborate with the school district and envision this location as our new home,” expressed Baldwin.  “The daycare will provide ample indoor and outdoor space for the children to enjoy,” she added.

Baldwin also recognizes the positive aspect of community participation through this move.  “Being part of a community where we can take the children on walks through town and to a park is a significant benefit we weren’t able to offer before,” commented Baldwin.

Lakes Area Enrichment Center will sign a lease with Minnewaska Area Schools on December 18, at the school board meeting, followed by a planned tour and Parent Information Night at W.I.N. Academy’s lower level in Starbuck.