Later this week the Little Charger Early Learning Center (ELC) will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for their new facilities.

Board of Directors President Laura Robson says that the current facilities they have are outdated and cramped, with two half rooms serving as space for the children. She adds that besides needing more room and facilities that are less costly to maintain, the new facilities can help Guthrie Center start to grow some more.

“When we come down a little bit closer to the Guthrie County level, we’re currently considered a childcare desert, right? So that doesn’t feel very good. As we want to attract new families, we want to attract new businesses, we want to grow the economy in this area. So what a childcare desert means is that there’s actually three times as many children that need childcare in this area than there are licensed or registered child care spots available.”

Robson explains that the new facilities will have more rooms to separate the children by age group, and make any class opportunities easier to hold. It will also include a kitchen for meals, play area for the children, and is located in proximity to the elementary school, so that the school age children don’t have far to travel before and after school hours. The Groundbreaking will take place Friday at 5:30pm.