Thanks to funding support from the Reno County Child Care Task Force Accelerator Grant and generous donors, Central Christian School’s construction of the Jay & Connie Schrock Early Education School—a state-of-the-art childcare center that will serve children from 6 weeks through school age—is on its way to completion.
This new addition is not just about expanding space; it’s about meeting an increasing need for quality childcare in the region. The space will offer a nurturing and developmentally appropriate environment for up to 99 children aged six weeks through school age—doubling the school’s current capacity.
A Vision Years in the Making
Central Christian School has long been committed to supporting families with a childcare program that dates back to 1980. However, the school had been facing significant challenges with its aging infrastructure. John Walker, Central Christian School’s Superintendent, shared his excitement about the new project, which will replace the old modular units that had outlived their usefulness.
"Our school has had a childcare program since 1980, and we’re proud to be one of the oldest school-based childcare providers in Reno County. However, we’ve been using the same modular building since then, and it was only ever intended to be a temporary solution. Over the years, those buildings have been patched and repaired many times, but it’s clear that we needed a better, more permanent space to serve our growing community," Walker explained.
The dream of building a modern, purpose-built childcare facility gained traction in 2022, when the school began to explore how they could repurpose an existing, dormant building—the old fire station located on the school’s property. Once a space used for industrial arts and a weight room for athletes, the building was reimagined as the future home of the Jay & Connie Schrock Early Education School.
A Collaborative Effort
The project wouldn't have been possible without the crucial support of the Reno County Child Care Task Force Accelerator Grant. The initial $350,000 grant was instrumental in getting the project off the ground, enabling the school to take the first steps toward transforming the fire station into a high-quality childcare facility.
"We couldn’t have started this project without that initial grant," said Walker. "Once we had that foundation of support, we were able to go to community members, local donors, and people who care deeply about childcare and Central Christian School to raise the additional funds we needed."
This new, 3,700-square-foot building will house additional classrooms, a kitchenette, an indoor play area, and more, providing ample space for younger children and offering an ideal environment for early childhood development.
"We are more than just building a building; we’re building a foundation for future generations," said Walker. "It’s going to be a huge blessing for our families, not just for Central Christian School but for the entire Reno County community."
A Community Effort
The expansion of the childcare program is more than just a construction project—it’s part of a larger movement to address the childcare shortage that has been affecting families across the county. The Reno County Child Care Task Force has been instrumental in helping providers like Central Christian School expand their capacity and improve their facilities to meet the increasing demand for childcare.
"This project is a testament to what can happen when a community comes together to solve a problem," Walker said. "We’ve had generous donations from people both locally and from out of state, and we’ve worked hand-in-hand with the state of Kansas, the Accelerator Grant program, and other childcare providers to create a solution that will benefit families in Reno County for years to come."
Looking to the Future
As the construction progresses with an estimated completion date of late spring of 2025, the Central Christian community is excited about the future impact of this new facility and what it will mean for both their current students and the many more children who will walk through its doors in the years to come.
"We’re so grateful for the support we’ve received, and we’re excited to see what the future holds," said Walker. "This facility is a direct answer to a need in our community, and we can’t wait to see the children who will grow and learn here."
Stay tuned for more updates on the project’s process!
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