Brookings Leads the Way in Addressing South Dakota’s Childcare Crisis

Brookings has gained statewide recognition for its innovative response to the growing childcare crisis. The Brookings Child Care Collaborative (BCCC), supported by Brookings Economic Development Corporation (BEDC), was recently highlighted as a model community in the South Dakota Child Care Task Force’s latest report on sustainable childcare solutions. 

In 2022, the Brookings County Child Care Supply Plan, a facilitated community planning process, revealed a significant shortfall in childcare slots for children ages 0-5, highlighting the need for additional childcare capacity in Brookings and across the county. Recognizing this gap, Brookings School District took proactive steps to incorporate additional preschool classrooms in the elementary schools’ renovations and became the first District in the state licensed for pre-k care. 

Thanks to strategic partnerships between BEDC, the Brookings School District, the Boys and Girls Club of Brookings, and South Dakota State University, BCCC is addressing critical needs for infant, toddler, and preschool care.  

“This recognition speaks to the power of partnerships,” said Stephanie Mason, VP of Economic Development and Operations at BEDC. “By working together, we’re not just solving today’s childcare challenges, we’re building a sustainable system that supports families and strengthens workforce participation.” 

BCCC’s innovative approach integrates existing childcare providers, ensures competitive wages for early educators, and establishes high-quality standards across all sites. It also creates unique opportunities for professional development and training through partnerships with South Dakota State University College of Education and Human Sciences to create hands-on work experience opportunities for students pursuing a career in early childhood education. Additionally, the Brookings School District’s expansion of preschool programming has been a critical component in improving access to high-quality early learning, setting a precedent for what’s possible when education and community initiatives align. 

The success of BCCC is driven by strong financial support from key stakeholders. Through Partnership assets, grants, and city and business sponsorships, this collective investment of nearly $8.4M enables Brookings to remain at the forefront of developing sustainable, high-quality childcare solutions that benefit families and bolster the workforce. 

 With the opening of the Early Childhood Enrichment Center through the Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains, 48 infants and toddlers are already enrolled, with another 20 expected to join later this month, highlighting the ongoing need for expanded childcare options. As businesses like Bel Brands and Solventum grow and new development projects emerge, access to quality childcare will play a vital role in attracting and retaining a strong workforce. BCCC’s efforts ensure that Brookings remains a competitive and welcoming community for both businesses and families. 

Brookings’ recognition as a model community underscores the importance of local leadership and collaboration in tackling statewide challenges. The South Dakota Child Care Task Force’s report emphasized BCCC’s multi-faceted approach, which prioritizes equity, quality, and long-term sustainability. This model has already garnered significant attention, including a feature in the School Superintendents Association’s blog, which highlights BCCC’s efforts to create a seamless care system for children ages 0-5, provide continuous care from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and integrate early literacy into its programs. 

Along with this impressive recognition, BCCC was invited to speak at the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) Conference in February. Stephanie Mason participated in a panel with representatives from Vermillion and Pierre to discuss community-led childcare initiatives. The panel provided a high-level overview of how GOED and other grant funds have been allocated to support collaborative childcare solutions. Panelists addressed topics such as engaging stakeholders, starting initiatives, and partnering with school districts, with a focus on Brookings’ proactive approach to addressing local and statewide childcare and workforce challenges. 

Since 2023, BCCC has made substantial progress, implementing preschool programs with continuous care in three elementary schools and aligning instructional strategies through professional development. The collaboration has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from families, many of whom have shared how the program has positively impacted their lives and careers. As BCCC expands its efforts, it seeks continued support from business and community stakeholders to sustain and scale this groundbreaking initiative.