TRAVERSE CITY — There will soon be more opportunities for families to find childcare in the Grand Traverse Region.
Northwest Education Services, in Traverse City, broke ground this week on a new childhood and family center. The goal is to provide more childcare for families and it will give students an opportunity to learn about early childhood development.
“So, childcare is really hard to find because there’s a large population and not enough caregivers,” said Lauren Dake, Family Liaison.
According to Michigan State University’s Licensed Child Care Deserts Data, the majority of Grand Traverse County has three-plus kids trying to get into one spot at a daycare.
“They get themselves on waitlists well before they even know that they’re pregnant sometimes,” explains Dake, “And a lot of times, families are moving to this area, and then they find out that they can’t even take the job that they wanted to take because they can’t find childcare for their kids.”
Northwest Education Services’ new Joseph C. Fisher Early Childhood and Family Center will provide an opportunity for 8 children, either toddlers or newborns, to have childcare. While this won’t completely solve the issue, Northwest Ed is hoping this will help.
“There’s a gap,” said Robin Hornkohl, Collaborative Coordinator, “And we have so many incredible childcare providers and early learning and care teachers in our community that are doing good work, that have continued to do good work.”
While they try and fill the gap, the center will also have an indoor and outdoor space for families, to create an environment for parents to meet and find their own community.
“Having a space where there are other professionals that you can ask questions to,” explains Dake, “and then other parents that can share their experience and their stories, and then families have that chance to connect with each other.”
Students at Northwest Ed will also have a unique opportunity to explore their interest in early childhood development. They will be able to work at the daycare and family center.
“It has been a long dream to have this opportunity to do quality modeling and hands-on learning in infant and toddler care as well,” Hornkohl said. “We have great partnerships with NMC to do some of this, some work in early childhood and specifically in that infant and toddler space.”
The center is expected to open in January 2026.