School corporation launches child care for district employees
Tiny Dragons Hatch in Southern Hancock County
At Community School Corporation of Southern Hancock County, big ideas have led to Tiny Dragons. The school district of more than 3,800 students located 30 minutes east of Indianapolis opened the doors to its Tiny Dragons Staff Daycare last fall to positive reviews from staff and families alike.
Conversations about employee child care started a few years ago, with the support of superintendent Dr. Lisa Lantrip. District staff were brainstorming ways to attract and retain quality teaching candidates and kept returning to the idea of on-site child care.
“I have known several employees who had to leave the teaching field because they were not able to secure child care, particularly for infants in our county,”
- Cheryl Rose, early childhood and special education coordinator.
Rose pursued the idea of an on-site child care program and spoke several times with FSSA partners, local child care centers and other school districts that offered on-site care. Through lots of research and the support of leadership, plans began to take shape.
The Tiny Dragons Staff Daycare launched in August 2023 with 24 students enrolled. Located in New Palestine Elementary School, the child care serves children ages 6 weeks through 4 years old and is reserved for children of school district employees. The center follows the school calendar and provides care on all teacher workdays. This model allows for significant cost savings for staff families when the center is closed during spring, fall and summer breaks, compared to paying for those time periods at a year-round center when care is not always needed. Children receive breakfast, lunch and snacks and have access to the school campus, including a dedicated play space and additional outdoor areas and paved walking trails.
