HUMBOLDT — Since The Growing Place Childcare Center & Preschool opened in Humboldt in 2005, its leaders kept a sort of “wish list” of improvements.
An indoor play area — where kids could run around to burn off excess energy and discover the many benefits of physical activity — topped that list.
Soon, a 4,000 square foot expansion will be in the making. More than a quarter of the space, 1,400 square feet, will be devoted to a recreation room that can hold up to 60 students.
“It’s something we always thought would be nice to have,” Janie Works, administrator, said.
It won’t be an official gymnasium, but will feel somewhat like a mini gym, director Tina Friend added.
The recreation center also could be available for community use, such as parties or other events, outside of business hours (the center is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.).
“We want to share what we have,” Works said.
THE INDOOR play area may be the “wish” part of the equation, but the need for more space for its preschool is what drove the decision.
The center’s preschool continues to grow, leaving little room for older school-aged children. When the addition is completed, school-aged children will move into a classroom there, leaving two preschool rooms in the older part of the building.
The center partners with USD 258 to ensure all Humboldt area students have an opportunity to attend preschool prior to entering kindergarten. The Growing Place currently has 37 preschool students, with 15 slots paid for by a Kansas Early Childhood Block Grant for low-income families.
Friend, who has a degree in early childhood development, and Works said educators continue to learn more about the importance of the first years of a child’s life.
Preschool provides not just education and social activities, but also gives children the freedom to enjoy their childhood and develop important skills they’ll need later in life, Friend said.
“They need to have time to explore and learn and play, and have that curiosity and creativity fulfilled,” she said. “Parents are working and families are so busy, but we have the time to help children learn and grow and discover.”
THE REMAINING space will include a larger kitchen with pantry, storage and mechanical space, restrooms and a break room.
The break room space doubles as a storm shelter for up to 44 people, and will be offered to the community in the event of threatening storms during non-business hours. That space also could be converted into another classroom if the center continues to expand.
The storm shelter also topped that wish list of improvements, Works said.
