By Carleen Wild
Moody County Enterprise

Change is coming, and it focuses on the smallest members of our community.
We’ve reported previously on a new Early Childhood Enrichment Center, to be built adjacent to the Janklow Community Center and Armory on the west end of the Flandreau Public School complex.
The project, due to a number of reasons, was delayed from moving forward this past fall, but it is now full speed ahead to meet the requirements of the grant awarded to get the project done.

On Friday, May 16, local leaders, families, and community partners will gather to break ground on the project. The event, set for 10 a.m. at 803 West Community Drive, marks a new chapter not just for Flandreau, but for young families across Moody County and beyond.
The ECEC is expected to add nearly 150 licensed childcare slots, a major step toward solving one of the area’s most pressing needs. According to organizers, it will close more than 65% of the county’s childcare gap, making it easier for parents to stay in the workforce and give local businesses a much-needed boost in hiring and retention.
But those closest to the project say it’s about much more than numbers.
“This is about giving kids the best possible start in life,” said Jody Hernandez with the Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Plains.
“And it’s about giving families peace of mind — knowing they have a safe, welcoming place for their children to grow and thrive.”
The center is a true community effort, a partnership between the City of Flandreau, Moody County, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, and the Boys & Girls Club of Moody County. Support also came through a Community Development Block Grant from the State of South Dakota and a lead gift from Dakota Layers.
Flexible hours — including early mornings, evenings, and even shift work accommodations — mean the center will meet the real needs of working families. Plans include rooms for mildly sick children, a multicultural curriculum celebrating the area’s diversity, and a strong partnership with South Dakota State University to help train the next generation of childcare professionals.
Organizers say the project is moving quickly, with an expectation that doors will open within a year.
“This is a once-in-a-generation investment in our future,” Hernandez said. “When we lift up our kids and our families, we lift up our entire community.”
The public is invited to the celebration. For questions or to RSVP, contact Jody Hernandez at jhernandez@greatfuturessd.org.