Indian Hills Community College and Sieda Community Action announced a new partnership to offer childcare to the Ottumwa region.
Beginning January 2024, Sieda Community Action will assume operations of the Child Development Center located on the Indian Hills Ottumwa Main Campus. Since the announcement of the closure of the IHCC Child Development Center, Indian Hills has been working with several potential groups to lease the center for the purpose of providing childcare. On Friday, October 13, 2023, Sieda Community Action and Indian Hills signed a contract to provide care for children ages infant through three years. Indian Hills is actively partnering with Sieda Community Action to help them become certified to take over operations in January 2024.
To fill the gap between the planned closure of the Indian Hills Child Development Center on October 27, and the opening of the Sieda center in January 2024, Indian Hills will extend care for children planning to transition to Sieda through December 21, 2023.
“We feel it’s important to offer care through the transition period to provide both staff and families with children at the center with the opportunity to stay at the current location. We are excited to see this agreement finalized and look forward to partnering with Sieda Community Action to continue offering childcare on the Ottumwa Campus.” Dr. Matt Thompson, President of Indian Hills Community College
“Sieda has been providing HeadStart and preschool services in our region for more than 50 years and we are excited for this opportunity to partner with Indian Hills and fill a need for childcare in our region. We have been a part of conversations around childcare in the Ottumwa area for many years. The Sieda team looked at several facilities throughout our area in hopes of opening the Sieda center before the opportunity to partner with Indian Hills presented itself. Indian Hills has been so generous with the space and services throughout our discussions. I think this partnership will be a great opportunity for families in our region.” Brian Dunn, Sieda Executive Director
Beginning January 2024, the Sieda center plans to offer care for children infant through three-years-of-age, from 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. There will not be income restrictions for families with children infant through age three. For more information regarding applying for childcare or to work at the Sieda center, please contact Brian Dunn, Sieda Executive Director (641-329-4326 or [email protected]) or Elizabeth Fairchild (641-339-4332 or [email protected]).
