Contact: Beth LaBreche
612-578-2834
National childcare provider New Horizon Academy sees spike in company-sponsored locations,
expands into its 6th state and 103rd location, on the Southwest Health Campus in Wisconsin
MINNEAPOLIS (Nov. 19, 2025) – National childcare provider New Horizon Academy announced the expansion of its on-site corporate childcare services with the groundbreaking of a new location at Southwest Health, Wisconsin, opening fall 2026. The new school’s capacity will be 140 children, for ages infant through kindergarten. In addition to being a benefit to employees at Southwest Health, a growing not-for-profit community health provider to Wisconsin residents, the school will welcome children from throughout the community.
“Taking care of the families of Southwest Health so that they can take care of their patients is especially rewarding,” said Chad Dunkley, CEO of New Horizon Academy, who also serves as co-chair of the national Early Care and Education Consortium. Dunkley says this is the second on-site corporate location his company has recently announced – it opened a 200-capacity school on the insurance company Cottingham & Butler campus in Iowa this summer.
“We’re definitely seeing an increased interest in quality childcare as a differentiator for companies competing for talent while enticing and supporting their workers – especially those coming back on site after working remotely and those who became parents during COVID, experiencing childcare for the first time,” he adds. “Managing our business through the pandemic and the ups and downs of the industry has been worth it, to be here and ready to provide the essential care and education that working families need.”
Dunkley notes his company is experienced in caring for essential healthcare families. It was considered an essential service, and remained open for healthcare workers on the frontlines serving COVID patients.
With the addition of the Southwest Health school, New Horizon Academy now operates eight corporate sites, including at Best Buy, Land o’ Lakes, Pella, ITA Group, and others.
The Southwest Health school was fully funded with a $2,585,000 Congressionally Directed Spending Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a $1 million donation from the Kaiser Family Foundation, and a $2 million state contribution from the state’s governor and senators.
Caiti Droessler, chief human resources officer at Southwest Health, shared, “Healthcare workers need reliable childcare in order to deliver reliable healthcare for the community. Our employees have been juggling in our childcare desert. The stories of childcare challenges go on and on.”
Droessler said the company discussed ‘solving the childcare problem just for us,’ but the Southwest Health Board of Directors was adamant about solving it for the community. “Now it is an asset for the entire community,” she said. She also extended appreciation for the community support and leadership that helped make the project possible, including contributions from Governor Tony Evers, Senator Marklein, Senator Baldwin, the USDA, and the Kaiser Family Foundation.
For more information about openings at the New Horizon Academy at New Horizon Academy, call 608-341-2620.
About New Horizon Academy
New Horizon Academy is an award-winning, high-quality early childhood education and care provider dedicated to opening new horizons of self-esteem, discovery, and learning for children, their families, and communities. Founded in 1971, New Horizon has more than 100 schools in six states for children aged six weeks up to fourth grade. The company delivers the best childcare on the planet — blending academic readiness, social-emotional growth, and joyful exploration.
