Burwell invests in critical infrastructure, by opening new childcare center
BURWELL, Neb. — Burwell invests in childcare, calling it critical infrastructure to help families.
The childcare crisis forces some parents to make turn down jobs because they can’t find anyone to watch their kids. That may cost Nebraska hundreds of millions of dollars a year and affects rural and urban communities alike.
Not even open yet, and already slots are filling up at Sandhills First Steps, Burwell’s new center.
“We have multiple families waiting for care and a waitlist,” said Brittany Rocheleau.
The director says demand is strong.
“Such a need for childcare everywhere,” Rocheleau said.
A brand-new facility has been a dream that received a boost when Garfield County decided to use more than a quarter of its covid dollars to build the center.
“The funds are something that we felt as Garfield County would help the whole community,” said Diana Hurlburt, county commissioner.
They view childcare as critical infrastructure. A University of Nebraska study commissioned by First Five Nebraska finds inadequate childcare costs the state $745 million a year. In Burwell, community leaders say it’s not unusual that some parents turn down jobs because there's no one to watch their kids.
“We have a lot of couples that just didn't have daycare so only one can work so this opens up whole new economic endeavor,” Hurlburt said.
The Nebraska Children and Families Foundation provided funds to walk the community through the process. Melissa Polinoski guided the way.
“All community sectors come together to embrace early childhood and what they can do as a collective group,” Polinoski said.
The payoff comes as construction wraps up and the center opens soon.
“It is a milestone for this community and the state,” said Polinoski.
Sandhills First Steps will care from kids as young as six weeks, as old as 11. Organized as a nonprofit, community leaders call it an investment in families.
“Your future, my future, and their future,” Polinoski said.