Three Child Care Centers, One Mission
Three Child Care Centers, One Mission: Why Collaboration is Key to Langlade County’s Workforce Stability
In many rural areas, the child care crisis is a significant barrier to economic development. When parents can’t find reliable, affordable care, they can’t join the workforce, leaving critical jobs unfilled. But here in Langlade County, we are fortunate to have a unique story of resourcefulness and collaboration.
Our rural community is home to three distinct child care centers operating within the same market. While they serve the same community, these centers have chosen to prioritize cooperation over competition, creating a resilient, unified system essential for Langlade County’s future.
A Trio of Care: Private, Hospital, Church
- Private Sector Excellence: Antigo Child Care is privately owned, bringing entrepreneurial spirit and flexibility to the market, allowing them to quickly adapt to the specific needs of local families.
- Business-Led Support: LeRoyer Child Care Center is owned and operated by a major area employer, Aspirus Health. This direct investment from a leading local business recognizes that workforce readiness starts with reliable child care.
- Faith-Based Commitment: Peace Lutheran Ministries Child Care is connected to a local church and generously supported by its congregation. This model brings strong community ties and a mission-driven approach to nurturing children.
While it might seem that these three diverse entities would be in fierce competition, they have instead chosen to collaborate in dedication to serving our community.
The Engine of Change: The Dream Up! Taskforce
The formalized platform for this collaboration is the Dream Up! Taskforce. Formed in 2023 by the LCEDC, this working group brings together all three child care centers, community leaders, and local businesses to collectively address the challenges of care availability.
The Taskforce’s mission is central to creating and maintaining child care solutions in Langlade County by:
- Providing resources to both existing child care programs and to new start-ups.
- Advocating for sustainable funding beyond parent fees.
- Educating the community about the current child care crisis while looking ahead to the future.
Priority One: Securing the Current Foundation
While the Dream Up! Taskforce inspires us to think about future growth and expanding child care options in Langlade County, the most vital economic action we can take today is ensuring the sustainability and retention of the three centers we already have.
Losing even one of these established providers—the private center, the business-led center, or the faith-based option—would create an immediate, devastating setback for our workforce. The goal of economic development and child care is not just growth and expansion; it is building a system that can endure.
We are incredibly proud of the leadership shown by our three Antigo centers. Their willingness to collaborate demonstrates that, in Langlade County, our child care centers view each other as teammates, not rivals.
Looking Ahead: A Call to Action
Help ensure our child care centers can continue to succeed by participating in the Adopt-a-Provider program. This simple initiative allows you to give essential items directly to a center which helps keep costs down for families. Needs on the list often include:
- Groceries, like milk.
- Bibs, cribs, & art supplies.
- Wipes, tissues, & paper towel.
- Or chip in for playground updates!
To view the current wish lists and contribute to this vital community asset, please visit: childcaring.org/adoptprovider.
Join us in ensuring Langlade County remains a stable, thriving place to live and work!
To learn more about Dream Up! and their initiatives, contact the Langlade County Economic.
