CHEYENNE - People who plan to build a nonprofit child development center here are taking the next step in the process.
Members of the Early Education Partnership want to form a joint powers board to oversee construction of a new child--care facility. It would be made up of area government entities.
A joint powers board could apply to the Wyoming Business Council for grant money to build the center.
The goal of the group is to advocate for quality early childhood education, said Rich Wiederspahn, a partnership board member.
Laramie County School District 1 trustees on Monday approved a resolution on a 6--1 vote that recognizes the importance of having an additional quality child--care facility in the community.
LCSD1's board had been asked to be part of the joint powers panel, but declined. Instead, it supported the creation of the board with the city of Cheyenne, Laramie County and Laramie County Community College.
"We're very pleased with the outcome and support of the school district," said Rod Hottle of the Early Education Partnership.
Laramie County commissioners and the Cheyenne City Council soon will be asked to approve similar resolutions. LCCC trustees approved one last spring.
The proposed day--care and education facility would be built at the Cheyenne Business Parkway in east Cheyenne.
The accredited center would have an education curriculum and degreed teachers. There would be an after--school portion, too, Hottle said.
The Early Education Partnership has worked for several years to meet the need for child care.
LCSD1 Trustee Dale Vosler voted against the resolution Monday. He said he views the proposed facility as a way to run private enterprise out of business.
"The government is trying to step on them (private business owners) and take their programs away from them and help them to lose more money," Vosler said.
But there is a serious need in here for affordable housing and quality child care, said City Councilwoman Georgia Broyles. "There is a severe lack of child care."
The center could be open when most day--care centers aren't, she added.
Child care is one of community's top needs. "It's very difficult to find enough slots," she said.
The effort does not try to compete with private business, Wiederspahn said.
"We think it is a workforce issue because we have young families who are looking for quality early childhood education for their kids," he said.