Project Overview

The proposed collaborative project is the renovation of an existing building on ISU campus to increase early childhood education capacity. Numerous studies have shown that early childhood education gives young children a head start in the areas of academia, social skills, listening, planning, and self-control. High quality early learning experiences are also credited with increasing overall educational attainment levels; such levels are correlated with increased lifetime earning potential, which leads to a higher tax base and increases of local and state revenues. ISU campus is an ideal location for the type of expanded childcare services West Central Indiana desperately needs. Preliminary investigation indicates room to dramatically increase the capacity. This would assist not only childcare seekers already in the workforce but would also assist job seekers not yet fully in the workforce such as college students in need of childcare during their class times. In West Central Indiana, the demand for high quality, center-based care outpaces the current supply. The program has an active waitlist of over 50% of the total program capacity, a testament to the need for, and interest in, high quality early learning programs. The project timeline is from July 2023 to December 2024. READI funds will be spent towards renovation design and construction costs. Matching fund contributors include City of Terre Haute/Vigo County and Lilly Endowment.