WRITTEN BY CHERYL WELLS & MARK GAUL
In any thriving community, many pieces come together to create a place where families can grow and prosper. Vibrant local businesses, a strong religious and social network, and quality housing options are just a few elements that make a community a great place to call home. In Le Mars, Iowa, residents are fortunate to experience all of these benefits — but there was one crucial piece missing: accessible, affordable, and reliable childcare.
Recognizing this gap, the community of Le Mars set out to address the childcare shortage that had become an increasing concern for many families. For more than two years, a dedicated team has been working to find a solution that meets the needs of Le Mars families while supporting the local economy. The result? The Le Mars Community Daycare Center, Inc. (LCDC, Inc.), a partnership between the community, local businesses, and a trusted childcare provider, has emerged as a beacon of hope for families in the area.
Understanding the Need
In 2021, it became clear that Le Mars was facing a critical shortage of childcare options. A market analysis commissioned by the Le Mars Business Initiative Corporation and conducted by First Children’s Finance revealed that 78% of families in the area had both parents in the workforce. However, 61% of those parents reported difficulty finding childcare, and 50% of local businesses were experiencing lost productivity due to this shortage. The study identified a need for an additional 500 childcare slots in Le Mars to meet the demand.
This situation sparked the creation of a taskforce to develop a sustainable, community-driven solution. It became clear that to address the childcare crisis, the solution would require a significant investment from the community, the involvement of a trusted nonprofit, and support for existing childcare providers.
A Community-Driven Solution
In the fall of 2023, the community discovered an opportunity to address the childcare shortage. A local facility with the capacity to provide 217 childcare spaces became available. A nonprofit organization — the Le Mars Community Daycare Center, Inc. — was formed to purchase the building and ensure it would be used to meet the childcare needs of the community.
In December 2023, LCDC, Inc. successfully purchased the building and began searching for a provider to manage the childcare center. The nonprofit was introduced to Crittenton Center from Sioux City, which already operated childcare centers in the area but did not have a presence in Le Mars. With support from local partner Wells Enterprises, who was also working with Crittenton to provide childcare for their employees, the two organizations quickly realized they were a perfect match.
LCDC, Inc. developed a comprehensive plan that included fundraising for the purchase, renovation, and equipping of the facility, as well as a three-year lease agreement with Crittenton Center at no cost to help them build a team and establish sustainability.
A Community Effort
The group set an ambitious fundraising goal of $3 million. The money would be used to purchase the building for $2.1 million, provide $400,000 for equipment upgrades, and maintain a $500,000 reserve for ongoing maintenance. The local business community responded generously, and by the spring and summer of 2024, LCDC, Inc. successfully raised the funds needed to move forward with the project.
Thanks to this community support, Crittenton Center was able to open the childcare center in January 2024. The facility initially provided care for 35 children, and by the end of 2024, enrollment had grown to 110 children. Crittenton Center anticipates reaching full capacity within the next year, demonstrating the critical need for these services.
A Bright Future Ahead
The establishment and growth of the Le Mars Community Daycare Center, Inc. is a testament to the power of community collaboration. By addressing the childcare shortage, Le Mars is taking a proactive step toward securing a brighter future for its families, workforce, and economy. There is an additional one-acre lot directly north of the current childcare center, providing ample space for a second building and the design work is being done so that when the need is evident to provide even more childcare, construction will begin on this new facility. With further expansion plans on the horizon and continued community support, the future of childcare in Le Mars looks bright. This has been such a beautiful project to watch and to be a part of here in Hometown Le Mars. Much thanks to those who have helped along the way, and we so appreciate Crittenton Center and their loving care for the children, as well as their professionalism and hard work they have demonstrated over and over. Thanks to all the donors and to Mark Gaul for his leadership and for writing and sharing this story.
