Learning from the Best: Full Circle Team Tours Childcare Centers

As planning and construction continue for the Full Circle Childcare Center, members of our team are committed to learning from communities that have successfully opened new childcare facilities.

Lisa Rumbaugh, Melissa McCoy, and Mollea Lightner from the Childcare Coalition of Dodge City toured two childcare centers in Coffeyville and Arkansas City. Coffeyville provides nontraditional hours to better serve working families and Arkansas City is supported by private business. The visits offered an opportunity to see firsthand how these centers operate, ask questions, and gather ideas that can be incorporated into Full Circle before construction is complete.

During the tours, we met with directors and staff to discuss everything from staffing and security to classroom design, kitchen operations, storage, technology, and playground layouts. We also learned about the challenges they faced after opening and what they would do differently if they were building again.

Some of the biggest takeaways included the importance of creating comfortable staff spaces, planning efficient kitchen operations, maximizing outdoor shade, and carefully considering security and parent drop-off procedures. The directors also emphasized that thoughtful planning before opening can prevent costly modifications later.

“We don’t want to reinvent the wheel,” said Mollea Lightner, Assistant Director of the Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation. “These visits allow us to learn from experienced childcare providers who have already navigated many of the challenges we’re preparing for. Every idea we bring back helps us create an even better center for the children, families, and educators we will serve.”

The Full Circle Childcare Center is being designed to provide care for more than 100 children, including expanded availability during nontraditional work hours to better meet the needs of Dodge City and Ford County’s workforce.

As construction progresses, the project team will continue visiting childcare centers, gathering best practices, and working closely with childcare professionals to ensure Full Circle opens as a high-quality, welcoming, and sustainable resource for our community.

Strong childcare systems aren’t built by chance, they’re built by listening, learning, and planning. These tours are another step toward creating a center that will serve Dodge City families for generations to come.