Kids play at the Marita Theisen Childcare Center in Dubuque on August 26, 2019. (Allison Wong/KCRG)

It’s tough for parents to find childcare for their kids due to fewer programs available across the state of Iowa, but one center opening in Dubuque is filling some of the need.

According to the Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R), the state of Iowa saw a 42 percent decrease in centers from 2013 to 2018. In Linn and Black Hawk Counties, the number of childcare centers decreased by 41 percent in those five years. Johnson County saw less of a decrease but still lost about a quarter of its childcare centers. In Dubuque County, there was a 35 percent decrease in that same time frame.

The Marita Theisen Childcare Center opened in Dubuque on Monday, August 26, adding 70 childcare spots to the market.

“It is a bit of a lengthy process,” Van Groll said. “It does take resources, financially, and to be able to meet the requirements for what the Department of Human Services requires.”

Wolf is happy to be making an impact, and especially in the Washington Neighborhood in Dubuque where she said low-income families had to work their children to a center.

“It’s a major barrier for those returning to the workplace or starting employment for the first time,” she said. “It’s just nice again to be able to help address that barrier and overcome that for the people to give them a better start in life.”

The Marita Theisen Childcare Center still has spots available. Visit their website to learn more. 

ALLISON WONG, KCRG
View article and video online, here.