Full Circle Childcare Center to Address Childcare in Ford County
The Dodge City/Ford County Development Corporation, in partnership with the Childcare Coalition of Dodge City, is proud to announce the launch of the Full Circle Childcare Center—a collaborative project designed to address the critical shortage of childcare in Ford County.
According to recent data from Child Care Aware of Kansas, Ford County is short more than 1,600 childcare slots, with only three licensed centers and 29 in-home providers currently serving local families. Conversations with area providers confirm that most are operating at or near capacity, with demand increasing.
In response, the Full Circle Childcare Center is being developed to offer up to 102 new childcare slots for infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children. Located near the United Village housing development, the facility will offer both traditional and extended hour care to better serve working families—including those on nontraditional shifts.
The project is being made possible by a generous contribution from local developer, Ric Marbouef, who is donating the iconic 7,500+ sq. ft. Cinema Circle building along with land for the site. The circular structure will be relocated and renovated into a licensed childcare facility, featuring four classrooms, a commercial kitchen, administrative offices, a multi-purpose gym and designated outdoor play area. Williamson Architecture is leading the design process, which also includes a safe pick-up/drop-off lane.
The Childcare Coalition of Dodge City has successfully secured over $6M to expand childcare capacity across the county. This includes a $1.25 million grant from the State of Kansas through the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund and $5 million from Cargill Meat Solutions, pledged through an origination fee for Industrial Revenue Bonds. A grant application to the Patterson Family Foundation is also under consideration.
The City of Dodge City has agreed to serve as the fiscal agent to support the project’s financial framework. The funds will come from the State of Kansas grant and industrial revenue bond origination fee proceeds. The expenses incurred during construction for the project will be reimbursed to the City as funding is received, allowing the build-out of the facility to move forward on schedule without delays.
The Full Circle Childcare Center represents Phase I of a broader, ongoing effort to meet community needs. The Coalition will continue to assess demand and gather input from families and employers while exploring future expansion opportunities.
Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2025, with an anticipated opening in early 2027. The center will be owned and operated by the Childcare Coalition of Dodge City.
“Access to childcare is a workforce issue. By expanding childcare availability, we’re helping businesses grow, supporting employee retention, and strengthening our local economy,” said Mollea Lightner, Assistant Director of Economic Development. “We’re investing in our people and our future.”
A recent employer survey reinforces the urgency of the project. Of 26 businesses responding to the survey—representing nearly 10,000 employees—over half reported challenges in hiring or retaining workers due to the lack of available childcare. Many also cited the need for care outside of standard business hours. Fourteen businesses expressed interest in contributing financially to support a community childcare facility.
In addition to developing the Full Circle Childcare Center, the Childcare Coalition of Dodge City remains committed to expanding childcare options. The Coalition regularly hosts “How to Become a Childcare Provider” seminars, offering step-by-step guidance and support to individuals interested in becoming licensed in-home providers. To date, these efforts have resulted in the successful launch of five new in-home childcare businesses. The Coalition has also assisted existing centers with expansion plans. This dual approach—supporting both center-based and in-home providers—ensures families have access to a variety of high-quality, sustainable childcare options throughout Ford County.
The Development Corporation and Childcare Coalition remain committed to pursuing grant funding, building public-private partnerships, and developing innovative operational models to ensure the long-term success of the project and continued childcare expansion across Ford County.