By Jodi Schwartz

Owner, Tiny Town

BRODHEAD — Tiny Town Daycare and Preschool staff and children had a special visit from Senator Mark Spreitzer and State Representative Clinton Anderson. On this windy St. Patrick’s Day, they were given a tour by the owner, Jodi Schwartz, and Director, Kim Bargman. 

Their first stop was the Cow room where they got to witness infants/toddlers eating (wearing) their lunch, which is made in house by the child care cook, Amanda Carlson. The lead teacher, Ciara Shaefer explained how funds from the Child Care Counts grant (from Federal American Rescue Plan funds) had allowed us to purchase a feeding table and play yard and how beneficial it has been to have those things. 

Next, they visited the horse and sheep room with children ages 3-8 years of age. These children were playing Simon Says, as they were seated at the table waiting for their lunch to be served. 

We then proceeded back to the kitchen/common area where we discussed how we have almost reached our max capacity (50) and our school-age program has met its limits. 

Owner Jodi Schwartz expressed that, in order to be able to meet the needs of the community, we would need to add an addition to our current facility, which is not possible without extra financial funding. 

We spent two hours discussing how childcare affects so many different avenues of the community and society. Clinton shared how local businesses have expressed the importance of available child care in order to retain employees. 

At the end of our very enjoyable visit, we all came to agreement that there is a huge need for childcare in the area and that the continuation of the Child Care Counts program to fund is fundamental to the success of child care programs ability to keep their doors open and provide quality care at an affordable rate. 

Senator Mark Spreitzer, had this to say, “It was wonderful to see the great work that Jodi and Kim are doing at Tiny Town in Brodhead to provide affordable, quality childcare for our community. It was clear from talking to them how important the Child Care Counts program is to enable them to pay fair, competitive wages to their staff and to afford supplies for their classrooms. We must make the Child Care Counts program permanent in the upcoming state budget.” 

To learn more about child care and the impact on the community please attend the upcoming rescheduled Community Conversation at 6 p.m. on March 30 at the Brodhead Community Library.