LAUREL, Neb. -- Child care remains a pressing issue for many communities across Nebraska. In Laurel, the lack of adequate child care has been a significant challenge, affecting students, families, and employees alike.

However, a new chapter has begun with the opening of a state-of-the-art child care center, made possible by a remarkable $2 million fundraising effort. The facility currently serves 27 children and can house up to 70, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the school board and community members.

It all started with a gift from a community member, who graciously donated an old church building in February 2022. Building Blocks Early Childhood & Family Development Center quickly devised a 95% renovation plan but realized they would still have an old church building.

“We knew that potentially it would pose some problems as far as the foundation and the location’s accessibility,” Building Blocks Early Childhood & Family Development Center Board President Megan Pippitt said. “We were limited for growth, especially if we needed to add on to the building someday. So at that point, we owed it to ourselves to explore a new build option, and that's where this building came about. So, in June 2024, we broke ground, and then we opened our doors on Jan. 27, 2025.”

“Building Blocks Early Childhood & Family Development Center is the only licensed child care provider besides one other in-home provider that is licensed in this school district,” Building Blocks Director Amanda Christensen said. “So our hope is to encourage the other in-home providers to also become licensed. It not only helps the community, but it also helps families, and the school to provide transportation, which is a big benefit to us all.”