Community partnerships address childcare need
The Quad Cities Community Foundation has granted a total of $57,218 to Western Illinois University to support and develop Rocky’s Play Space, a bilingual early learning and family empowerment lab site opening this year in Moline.
“Rocky’s Play Space represents the power of partnership and collaboration,” said Sue Hafkemeyer, the Community Foundation’s president and CEO. “Private, public, government, and nonprofit organizations—along with generous and driven individuals—have made this much-needed resource a reality for our community.”
According to organizers and supporters, Rocky’s Play Space will help to alleviate two major regional challenges: the availability of care options for families with young children and the shortage of trained early care professionals.
“Like so many communities in our country, families in Moline are in need of more care options,” said Dr. Lindsay Meeker, WIU visiting professor of Early Childhood Education and director of the Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood Education. “Rocky’s Play Space will help meet that need while also creating a new generation of dedicated childcare professionals with access to the best and latest evidence-based training.” As a lab site, WIU students and faculty will be able to carry out research in partnership with the center.
Rocky’s Play Space will enroll a minimum of 65 children across operating shifts, with 70 percent of enrollment prioritized for linguistically diverse families and those experiencing vulnerabilities. A portion of the Community Foundation’s grant has funded a bilingual family resource specialist position at the site for two years. The additional funding supports technological advancements for the program.
“Bilingual early learning is incredibly important for children, families, and our community as it opens the door for exposure to diverse backgrounds and experiences,” said Emily Ferreyra, Spanish bilingual family coordinator at the site. “To create a welcoming and supportive environment, we need to be inclusive and equitable. This is a place where members of our communities can come together and learn foundational skills.”
The community focus of Rocky’s Play Space is exemplified by a mural created on the building’s exterior, a bilingual alphabet created by community members and local artist Sarah Robb. In addition to being a cutting-edge childcare facility, the center will offer adult education opportunities as well as family training programs.
“We’re seeing what happens when the university, the city, and amazing nonprofits like the Community Foundation come together,” said Dr. Meeker. “Together, we’re meeting a community need and elevating families in the Quad Cities.”
Families who would like to learn more about Rocky’s Play Space should register their interest here: https://form.jotform.com/233054441772150. The site will open in early fall 2024.
Thanks to the generosity of donors, the Community Foundation can fund projects like Rocky’s Play Space that support local families. Click here to see how you can help drive more community-focused opportunities.