Plan

Sunflower Board of Directors and partners are working to raise funds for, design, and construct a state-of-the-art Child Development and Discovery Center that will:

• Prevent the loss of 120 child care slots.

• Create and provide safe, unique, and age-appropriate child care and development spaces for children from 6 weeks to 12 years.

• Provide child care for 245 children and shared learning and play spaces for children from throughout the region.

• Increase facility income and sustainability and maximize benefits for the larger community through innovative building design and business management.

• Incorporate and share indoor play and learning spaces at the facility as a “Discovery Center”. Non-classroom spaces will be shared with other child care businesses, homeschoolers, and the public (for a fee during designated hours).

• Provide creative indoor and outdoor learning spaces and playground areas that promote learning and healthy active living, including STEAM play and learning spaces. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math.)

• Incorporate sustainable energy, smart building design, and innovative landscaping (100KW Solar, Geothermal system, passive solar, bioswales).

• Pay competitive wages and provide benefits.

• Provide training and career advancement opportunities for employees, as well as new and existing child care providers from throughout the county and the region.

• Hold conversations with other Winneshiek County child care and development centers and businesses to identify new opportunities to realize the mission.