NICC to use Winneshiek Community Foundation grant for expansion of childhood learning lab

NICC's Child Development Center at the Calmar campus will use a $3,218 grant from the Winneshiek County Community Foundation to help pay for an expanded outdoor learning lab at the Child Development Center. The new outdoor playground design incorporates natural materials to allow children enrolled at the center to maximize their creativity, imagination and initiative in play.  

Play areas will include a music area with a hanging xylophone, curvy paths built with pressed gravel and rocks, a gathering area with picnic tables and stools, a building area with blocks and tables, a gardening area with raised vegetation beds, and a climbing and crawling area with a balance beam and log steps. Each area has been intentionally designed to promote a different part of child development, from imaginary play to problem solving to body competence.  The raised garden area is a collaborative project with the region's Food and Fitness initiative to grow nutritious food for the center's menus and provide healthy fruits and vegetables for children enrolled at the center.

The Child Development Center on campus has seen a 60 percent increase in child enrollment since 2005, yet playground space has remained at 3500 square feet.  In addition to the Winneshiek County Community Foundation's grant, The Child Development Center has raised $11,444 in three years of fundraising efforts to begin construction of the new outdoor learning lab.  Funds were raised from an NICC Fall Fest fundraiser, a grant from the Depot Outlet in Decorah, local garage sales and numerous community donations.