CUSTER COUNTY–The Custer County Childcare Association is creating a toy lending library to help alleviate the financial burden by providing learning materials to the local childcare workforce.
The first week of April is the Week of the Young Child. (Click here for more about the Young Children’s Art Show & Custer County Kids Fair this April.) Early childhood professional Heather Schmidt of Love & Learn Childcare has more than 30 years of experience in the early childhood field. After a previous infant-toddler grant initiative ended in 2017, Schmidt is looking to re-start a toy lending library.
The goal is for care providers to be able to “check out” available toys and materials for a period of time which will allow for new learning experiences for the children they serve at no cost to them.
Schmidt told KCNI/KBBN approximately 20 care providers serve the Custer County area (some licensed, some unlicensed) and a toy lending library will allow for a cost-effective way to provide quality materials to a larger number of children and help alleviate the financial burden.
“Their investment will be well used and appreciated and have far-reaching [impacts]…It’s not just going to help one group of kids, it’s going to help all of the kids in the community,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt hopes the toy lending library will house a variety of high quality supplies, toys, and learning materials. Not all care providers have the financial resources or storage space to provide certain items to the kids they serve, but having the option to check out items for a short period of time will allow for positive experiences within their day-to-day operations.
For example, a local childcare facility might have the option to check out big building toys, quality wooden puzzles, art supplies, or obstacle course materials.
Schmidt told KCNI/KBBN the toy lending library will also allow for quality care providers to help each other and network within a positive environment.
“Building that workforce and a voice in the community together,” Schmidt said. “Different perspectives, materials to help with social and emotional growth, routines, culturally diverse items, gross motor skills (like an obstacle course), art supplies, etc.”
The Custer County Childcare Association appreciates Flatwater Bank for providing the office space for the toy lending library (which will be inside the Broken Bow Chamber building) and the Custer County Foundation for setting up an account for tax deductible donations.
If anyone is interested in donating supplies, storage totes, sanitizing supplies, or financial resources, contact [email protected].
“I just think giving kids those quality materials. All of those brain connections are being made from birth to three. So the more connections you can build and really enforce is key in having success in school, success in life, and just building a good educational foundation,” Schmidt said.
