Groundwork Begins For New Daycare
After another year of work of planning for Carol Maurer, owner of Ragamuffin Daycare in Stanley, dirt work began for their new daycare located by Dollar General. For many years she has studied the need and planned to provide for more childcare in the area. They had an official groundbreaking a year ago, but they faced some challenges regarding the road access and other issues that pushed construction back.
This past week, the work began for the new 9,600 square foot daycare that will be capable of providing childcare for 120 kids. That will include the children they already serve, but allow for considerable expansion.
The new childcare center will be able to provide state licensed care with capacity up to 120 children. There will be two infant rooms, able to accommodate 20 infants; two rooms for children 18 months to 2 years old, able to accommodate 30 children. There will be a room for 3 year olds able to provide care for 20 children. Two rooms will be utilized for four and five year olds in the Best in Class Pre K program, providing care for 22 preschool aged children. To help meet community needs for before and after school care, as well as summer care, there will be a dedicated room for 20 school-aged children ages 6 to 12.
The building is being made possible with the partnerships with the Mountrail County JDA, Souris Basin, the Bank of North Dakota and Town & Country Credit Union. Maurer also points to the partnerships with Bright and Early, Best in Class, Childcare Aware of North Dakota, and local childcare specialists. It also would not be possible without the support of her staff, families she serves, and her family and friends.
Construction is slated to be complete by May of 2027. While Maurer says that she has dozens on her waiting list right now, she encourages families to reach out to secure spots when this new childcare center opens roughly a year from now.