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Little Scholars Learning Center opens in Conrad

Needs met, problems solved in process

TR Photo by Chuck Friend The exterior of the new childcare facility in Conrad.

CONRAD — The needs of a community and one family’s problem was solved when a third party stepped forth and paved the way for Little Scholars Learning Center to open in Conrad on April 1.

When the former Wolf Creek Preschool and Childcare closed its doors in Conrad last October following financial troubles and controversy, the community was like other smaller communities in Iowa facing child care issues.

At the same time, Lisa and Mike Hines of rural Conrad were facing a problem when their in-home childcare facility reached its capacity and hard decisions were about to be made. What to do? Should they look for some place to start a center, or just cap the number of children that they could care for on a daily basis and continue as they were?

Enter the picture Jaycin and Erin Cross of Whitten – investors who saw Conrad’s need for child care and gave hard thought to owning the land and building (formerly WCPCC) , but only with the stipulation that Lisa and Mike Hines ( both registered and licensed child care providers) would operate it.

I heard about the opportunity to buy the place and also had heard nothing negative about Lisa Hines, so the only way I would even make an offer was if she consented to operating the center,” Jaycin said.

TR Photo by Chuck Friend Lisa and Mike Hines of Conrad stand near the entrance of the newest childcare facility in Central Iowa, the Little Scholars Learning Center in Conrad which they operate. Along with investors Jaycin and Erin Cross of Whitten, the couple opened the new center April 1.

Lisa first got into the child care business in 1991 while living in Georgia where her husband Mike was stationed in the military. When the family moved back to Mike’s home town of Conrad, Lisa continued to run a childcare program (except for a couple of years while experiencing treatment for Leukemia) to the present day. It had grown to the largest home provider capacity allowed, and they even had a waiting list for infants – some that had not yet even been born.

I really feel that being a military spouse has helped Lisa with a sense of caring and organization,” Mike said.

“We were really surprised when Jaycin called one evening to tell us that he would buy the old WCPCC property – if we would operate it,” Mike said. “We had to do a lot of soul-searching, but came to the conclusion that this was what we were supposed to do.”

“I just wanted to keep childcare in Conrad, because I think the need is critical to the area because of the small number of in-home facilities,” Jaycin said. “I said that Erin and I would help with financing and be the owners, but Lisa is the director, the board, and makes the decisions – I plan to have no input on how the center is operated.”

Lisa and Mike noted that because of their in-home center, things went smoothly in the transition because all of the paperwork was in order and they were very familiar with childcare regulations.

TR Photo by Chuck Friend Kayla Monnaghan is pictured with an infant and pre-toddler at the Little Scholars Learning Center recently.

We have had great support from the Childcare , who will serve as consultants to the Lisa when needed. The new learning center has secured a loan through the United States Department of Agriculture and is in good standing as far as licensure goes with the State of Iowa.

Unlike WCPCC, no city money will be used for financing as this is a private facility. And during the weeks leading up to opening, the Hines’ spent countless hours repainting and getting the vacant building ready to house up to 60 kids on a regular basis at Little Scholars Learning Center.

“I think we accomplished in three weeks what it would normally take 90 to 120 days to complete,” Mike said.

“Everyone who works here loves what they do and is very passionate about the job at hand,” Lisa said. “That shows in how we take care of the children.”

She went on to add that many of their current staff were “hand-picked” to make sure that they were on board with the new learning center concept. That being learning for not just the children, but for parents and other child care providers as well.

As of opening, Lisa said that they currently have 26 children that they are serving- and school age care will be offer this summer and a new 3-year old preschool will be added in the fall. Currently the 4-year old preschool for the area is operated as a part of the BCLUW school system and is housed in the elementary building in Conrad.

“We are always looking for volunteers that have collections or talents that they would be willing to share with our children,” Lisa added. A Grand Opening and Open House for the Little Scholars Learning Center is planned for May 3.

For more information contact Mike and Lisa Hines at post office box 446 in Conrad; by e-mail at lisa@heartofiowa.net or by phone at 641-366-3454.

“I feel our decision was a good one for everyone – especially Conrad and the surrounding communities,” Jaycin concluded.

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