THE SOLUTION:
COMMUNITY CHILD CARE EXPANSION
We will renovate the current Otter Creek Child Center facility to increase overall child care capacity by 77 daily slots.
An architect's rendering shows the future completed building.
An Ideal Learning Space
Plans include a substantial, attached, ADA-compliant addition, and expansion of play areas to provide dedicated areas for infants and toddlers and expanded nature-based education opportunities.The building is designed to conserve energy, provide a variety of state-of-the-art classrooms for different ages of children and many shared spaces (e.g., family greeting areas, kitchen and dining areas, a large multi-purpose room/gross motor play space). Staff rooms, a community early care and learning library, and large and small conference rooms will enhance the use of the facility as a workforce development center for the community.
Education and Workforce Development Opportunities
Students from numerous educational institutions, including Hannaford Career Center, Community College of Vermont, Castleton University, and Middlebury College will have the opportunity for hands-on learning for both child development and nonprofit management. We welcome inquiries from additional schools and colleges with related academic programs.
An Ideal Learning Space
Plans include a substantial, attached, ADA-compliant addition, and expansion of play areas to provide dedicated areas for infants and toddlers and expanded nature-based education opportunities.The building is designed to conserve energy, provide a variety of state-of-the-art classrooms for different ages of children and many shared spaces (e.g., family greeting areas, kitchen and dining areas, a large multi-purpose room/gross motor play space). Staff rooms, a community early care and learning library, and large and small conference rooms will enhance the use of the facility as a workforce development center for the community.
Education and Workforce Development Opportunities
Students from numerous educational institutions, including Hannaford Career Center, Community College of Vermont, Castleton University, and Middlebury College will have the opportunity for hands-on learning for both child development and nonprofit management. We welcome inquiries from additional schools and colleges with related academic programs.
- Career Center students will receive hands-on learning toward becoming teacher assistants or establishing their own home-based registered child care services.
- Students from Community College of Vermont—many of whom are working professionals—can earn as they learn, using their time at the new facility to demonstrate competency for child care apprenticeship certifications and associate degrees.
- Undergraduate students from Middlebury College and Castleton University will gain experience in a learning lab for child development and nonprofit management for degree and teaching license programs.
- Graduate students from Castleton University and the University of Vermont will work with center staff to design policy and research studies related to early child care and learning.
Model for Other Communities
This project will also create a replicable model of a public-private partnership to address a chronic issue that is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of Vermont families, and crucial to economic growth and development in predominantly rural areas. Our goal is to demonstrate to other counties in Vermont that it is possible to engage large employers, landowners, NGOs, town governments, and others in efforts to create thriving child care environments that will provide a positive return on their financial support and investment of relevant expertise. Such an effort is not as simple as starting a business or building a facility; it is about designing a holistic programmatic response at a community scale for an issue that impacts the entire state.
This project will also create a replicable model of a public-private partnership to address a chronic issue that is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of Vermont families, and crucial to economic growth and development in predominantly rural areas. Our goal is to demonstrate to other counties in Vermont that it is possible to engage large employers, landowners, NGOs, town governments, and others in efforts to create thriving child care environments that will provide a positive return on their financial support and investment of relevant expertise. Such an effort is not as simple as starting a business or building a facility; it is about designing a holistic programmatic response at a community scale for an issue that impacts the entire state.
Additional Information:
Expansion Project Home
The Challenge in Addison County
The Solution: Community Child Care Expansion
Community Partners
Project Financing
Timeline and Status
How You Can Help
Expansion Project Home
The Challenge in Addison County
The Solution: Community Child Care Expansion
Community Partners
Project Financing
Timeline and Status
How You Can Help