Oconto Falls, Wis. — Encompass, a leader in early childhood education, is opening a new childcare center in Oconto Falls in 2024.
Oconto County is in what is known as a childcare desert — an area with little or no access to quality childcare, said Encompass Executive Director Missy Schmeling.
“We worked hand-in-hand with local community and education leaders to make the opening of the center possible,” she said. “The new center will provide 140 childcare slots to the community.”
Encompass purchased a building at 650 E. Jackson St. that it will renovate to create the 14,000-square-foot center. The center’s amenities include:
- Classrooms for infants, toddlers, 2-year-olds, preschool and school age
- State-of-the-art outdoor play areas to accommodate all ages
- Community Collaboration room
- Best-in-class early childhood equipment
- Ample green space
- A safe, welcoming environment for children to learn and grow
The non-profit organization operates seven childcare centers in Green Bay, De Pere and Pulaski. Schmeling said families have already approached Encompass about getting on a waiting list for the Oconto Falls facility.
To help renovate the building, Encompass received a grant of $250,000 from Oconto County Public Health’s American Rescue Plan funding and is working on a grant with the City of Oconto Falls and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. The non-profit has also applied for additional grants and launched a fundraising campaign to complete the funding for the project.
Oconto County Economic Development Corp. Executive Director Jayme Sellen said the new Encompass center in Oconto Falls will help area families and Oconto County overall.
“For every one child care slot in Oconto County, there are five children waiting for an opening causing parents to either seek care from family members, drive long distances or leave the workforce,” she said. “Encompass coming to Oconto Falls will be a catalyst for generational change for the families, employers and communities in Oconto County.”
The new center will employ a Lead Director, an Associate Director and look to hire more than 20 educators.
Schmeling said Encompass is excited to build capacity around early childhood opportunities and the impact that quality early education has on children, families, educators and the community.
Encompass also differentiates itself by its three pillars:
- Affordability: The non-profit provides tuition assistance program that supports working families, and our Advocate Program provides the necessary support to retain children and families in care.
- Best in classrooms: Each Encompass center has attained the highest level of distinction and is Nationally Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Encompass uses High Scope’s Educational Approach, which emphasizes active learning and providing children with direct, hands-on experiences with people, objects, events and ideas.
- Hire, retain the best educators: An estimated 63% of program staff hold an associate degree or higher. Encompass’ compensation levels are above childcare industry averages. We also invest in our employees’ professional development encouraging a philosophy of always growing.
ABOUT ENCOMPASS
Since 1919, Encompass has been the leader in caring for children in the greater Green Bay area. Encompass serves more than 1,100 children from six weeks to 12 years old at seven centers in Green Bay, De Pere, and Pulaski. Led by a highly educated and well-trained team of teachers, Encompass employs a research-based curriculum that fosters birth-to-5 development. All Encompass centers have attained the highest standards in early care and education, including accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and a 5-star YoungStar rating by the state of Wisconsin. Most Encompass’ centers offer 4-year-old kindergarten (4K) programs in partnership with the Green Bay, Pulaski and West De Pere school districts. Encompass also strives to be part of the communities in which we serve.
