Bold Steps Toward Early Learning Equity at Brookings School District

In 2022, the Brookings County Child Care Supply Plan, a facilitated community planning process designed to support and expand the childcare capacity, identified a significant shortfall of childcare slots for children ages 0-5. This highlighted the need for 495 slots in Brookings alone and over 900 countywide. Recognizing this gap, the Brookings School District took proactive steps to address the unmet needs of families in the community by supporting the development of the Brookings Child Care Collaborative.

The district’s vision was clear: early learning opportunities should be available to all families, regardless of economic circumstances. This conviction, combined with ongoing community feedback and rising demand for preschool programming, led to the inclusion of early learning spaces in two expanded elementary schools.

Taking on this initiative was more than just addressing a capacity issue—it was about creating an equitable start for all children.

Essential Considerations for Building a Sustainable Program

Childcare impacts everyone in a community from families to businesses, so developing a new program required thoughtful consideration across several areas, such as:

• Securing partnerships,
• Ensuring sustainable funding,
• Designing a curriculum aligned with early learning standards, and
• Recruiting highly qualified educators.

A major challenge was balancing care for children ages 0-3 and 4-5. To mitigate this, the Boys & Girls Club of Brookings transitioned its preschool program to the district. This transition enabled services for children ages 0-2 while continuing to serve children over the age of 3.

This partnership resulted in the Brookings Child Care Collaborative, a model designed to provide seamless care for up to 360 children, ages 0-5, from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The newly formed Collaborative efficiently addressed community needs by sharing facilities, operational costs and expertise.

Additionally, we’re excited to now have South Dakota State University as a key partner for the Collaborative, bringing resources, training and additional expertise to programming for both the 0-3 age group at the Boys & Girls Club, and the 4-5 age group at the district.

Early Wins & Community Impact

Although the Collaborative is only halfway through its first year, the program has already made substantial strides. Preschool programs with continuous care have now been implemented in three elementary schools, with a strong focus on literacy as a shared goal.

All staff, whether from the district or the Boys & Girls Club, have undergone Science of Reading training, ensuring alignment in instructional strategies. The introduction of Waterford Early Learning across all program areas has further reinforced quality and consistency in early literacy efforts.

The response from families has also been overwhelmingly positive! We recently heard a touching story from one of our families who shared that thanks to being able to find childcare that was both affordable and high-quality, they were able to get back into the workforce – and it's made such a positive difference in their lives.

The impact goes beyond just the families, too. Staff members have shared how much they appreciate working together, especially since it's given them new training opportunities and resources to enhance their work with our young learners.

Tips for District Leaders

South Dakota’s lack of state funding for PreK programs necessitated innovative solutions. Collaborating with organizations like the Boys & Girls Club, South Dakota State University, and the Economic Development Corporation proved essential in building a sustainable structure.

For districts facing similar challenges, here are some key takeaways:

 Leverage Partnerships: Collaborations can reduce costs, maximize resources and extend the reach of programming.

 Offer Continuous Care: Providing care from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM eliminates barriers for working families and ensures seamless transitions for children.

 Align Training and Resources: Shared professional development fosters consistency across staff and improves program outcomes.

What’s Next for the Collaborative?

Looking ahead, the Collaborative’s second phase focuses on achieving financial sustainability while ensuring staff salaries align with those of K-12 educators. Although currently fee-based, the district is exploring funding models and business partnerships to broaden access for all families.

By remaining committed to innovation and collaboration, the Brookings School District is not only addressing the childcare crisis but also laying the groundwork for lifelong learning and community success.