New childcare center caters to working parents

MOSES LAKE - Parents with jobs requiring them to work evenings or on weekends often have difficulty finding quality childcare to match their busy schedules. It is a problem one Moses Lake daycare provider has seen recently increase.

When Kelly Lewis decided to open her own daycare center, she knew she had to address the need for childcare for parents who don't work the traditional 9 to 5 job.

Lewis currently operates the Children of Grace Preschool and Child Care Center out of the Grace Harvest Church in Moses Lake. However, she is moving the childcare center to her new facility near Big Bend Community College.

Lewis hopes to be up and running before the new year, and will offer childcare from 4:30 a.m. until midnight or 1 a.m. during the week. She will also offer weekend hours on Saturday and Sunday.

"The demand is really high for swing shift and weekends," said Lewis. "It's just something that needs to be done for the community."

She said if the need for graveyard childcare increases, the daycare center will consider extending hours to meet the demand.

The new facility is still in the process of being remodeled, but Lewis said they are pretty close to putting the final touches on the building.

The new childcare center will have space for offices, bathrooms, a full kitchen, three classrooms, a newborn unit and a multipurpose room. The center also has access to soccer and baseball fields, grassy areas and a gym located nearby, said Lewis.

The center accepts newborns and children up to age 12. Children of Grace currently cares for about 48 kids, but she said the center will be accepting new children as well.

Lewis has provided daycare services for parents in the Moses Lake area for about 19 years. She originally operated out of her home, she said.

Lewis has operated the Children of Grace center out of the church for about 10 years, but always wanted to operate a facility on her own.

She said parents don't have to worry about their kids simply sitting around and watching television while at daycare. Lewis said kids who go to the Children of Grace center are always involved in activities that promote learning.

Children of Grace operates a preschool program for kids in that specific age group, and older kids will also have access to educational materials and participate in hands-on learning, she said.

"We have movie days on Fridays, but other than that, we're not big on having a television on all day," said Lewis.

Lewis said flooring is being installed at the new facility this week, and it shouldn't be long before the Children of Grace center makes their big move.

The new daycare center will be located at 6378 Arnold Dr. NE. For more information on enrolling at the center, call 509-766-7470.