Childcare center will close if fundraising deadline isn’t met
The Paton-Churdan Early Learning Center board was forced to make a difficult decision Jan. 21. Over the past year, the board has worked to move the daycare to a new facility.
The Paton-Churdan CSD expressed a desire to close the portable building that houses the daycare and the Paton-Churdan preschool in 2024. It was the school board’s hope to close the building before the 25-26 school year. When it became evident that strides were being made to secure a new facility, PCCSD determined it would keep the building for the 25-26 school year.
PC ELC has continued to work with the support of the Paton-Churdan CSD to construct a 6,500 sq. ft. permanent modular learning center on school property. This facility will expand capacity to 75+ children, increase classrooms from three to six (including dedicated Pre-K), and include modern safety features, energy-efficient systems, a commercial kitchen, and full compliance with state childcare regulations.
The total project cost is just less than $2 million. While this is a lofty amount, it is projected that a new stick build would take 14-18 months to build and cost $2.6 to $2.8 million.
Over the past year major funding has been secured, including a $600,000 CDBG grant from the Iowa Economic Development Authority, and support from Grow Greene, the school district, Greene County, local businesses, and individual donors. Paton-Churdan ELC is $430,000 away from the $2 million goal.
However, this week the board determined in order to maintain the timeline necessary to have a new building ready for the 2026-27 school year, fundraising has to be completed by April 1, 2026, as the planned modular building will take 3-4 months to complete.
The board also determined that if funding for a new building can not be secured PC ELC will have to close.
If funding can be secured the PC ELC will remain open until care can be transitioned into the new building.
If the Paton-Churdan Early Learning Center closes, 23 families and 45 children from Greene County and surrounding communities will lose care. In addition 14 PC ELC staff will lose their jobs.
The PC ELC board is hopeful that with the help of the community the childcare center can remain open. Persons who want to make a donation or a financial pledge toward the new facility are asked to contact PC ELC director Whitney Minnehan at 515-389-3129 or email pcelcdirector@gmail.com. Donations can also be made at United Bank of Iowa, Churdan.
