Full Circle Childcare Center Groundbreaking Ceremony

Community leaders, partners, and residents gathered on April 10 to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Full Circle Childcare Center, a transformational project aimed at expanding childcare access and supporting the local workforce in Dodge City.

The new facility represents years of planning and collaboration focused on addressing the community’s growing childcare needs. Conversations surrounding childcare challenges began in 2019, bringing together stakeholders to identify solutions and build a path forward. The groundbreaking marks a significant milestone in that ongoing effort.

The Full Circle Childcare Center, expected to be completed in July 2027, will serve more than 100 children and offer non-traditional hours to better meet the needs of working families and employers in the region.

“This project represents progress, momentum, and a shared commitment to strengthening our community for years to come,” said Mollea Lightner, Assistant Director of Economic Development for the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation.

The project is made possible through the support of numerous funders and partners. Major contributors include Cargill; the State of Kansas, with funding allocated through the Kansas Children’s Cabinet Trust Fund with the support of Representative Jason Goetz; the Patterson Family Foundation; and Hilmar Cheese.

Additional contributions include MR Builder, who donated the building and site and is serving as the project’s contractor.

Key partners in the project include the City of Dodge City, Ford County, the Kansas Department of Commerce, and the Office of Rural Prosperity. Planning and development efforts were supported by Child Care Aware of Kansas, KCCTO, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), whose expertise helped guide the project from concept to construction.

Design services were provided by Williamson Architect, with leadership and coordination from the Childcare Coalition of Dodge City Board of Directors and the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation staff and board.

The Full Circle Childcare Center reflects a strong, unified effort to invest in the future of Dodge City by addressing one of the community’s most pressing needs.